Selivanovaite is a rare titanium silicate mineral found primarily in alkaline igneous environments. It typically appears as small yellow to brownish platy crystals or granular masses within nepheline syenite pegmatites. It is highly sought after by systematic mineral collectors specializing in rare minerals from the Kola Peninsula.
Is this selivanovaite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch selivanovaite with a known reference. Selivanovaite sits at Mohs 3-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Selivanovaite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Selivanovaite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals, granular aggregates.
Often confused with
Selivanovaite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside selivanovaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with selivanovaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₃Ti₃(Si₂O₇)O₂(OH)·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 2.73 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Granular Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find selivanovaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Khibiny Massif, Russia
- Lovozero Massif, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline pegmatites country — that is the host setting where selivanovaite typically forms. If you start seeing microcline, nepheline, aegirine in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, granular aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find selivanovaite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
