Shafranovskite is an extremely rare phyllosilicate mineral typically occurring as fragile, golden-yellow hexagonal plates or lamellar aggregates. It is found almost exclusively in the alkaline igneous rocks of the Khibiny Massif in Russia. Collectors prize it for its distinct morphology and association with other rare pegmatite minerals.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Pearly

Streak

Yellow

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrarePhyllosilicate family

Shafranovskite

Hardness: 2
Luster: Pearly
Streak: Yellow
Transparency: Translucent

Is this shafranovskite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch shafranovskite with a known reference. Shafranovskite sits at Mohs 2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Shafranovskite leaves a yellow streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Shafranovskite typically shows a pearly luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: yellow, golden yellow.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: lamellar crystals, tabular hexagonal plates.

Often confused with

Shafranovskite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Terskite

Mohs 5-5.5

How to tell apart: Terskite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-5.5 vs. 2); streak differs — Shafranovskite leaves yellow, Terskite leaves white; luster reads pearly on Shafranovskite and vitreous on Terskite.

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Often found alongside shafranovskite

Minerals reported to co-occur with shafranovskite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: (K,Na,Ca)₃(Mn,Fe)₄Si₅O₁₅(OH)·2H₂O
Mohs hardness: 2
Density: 2.36 g/cm³
Colors: Yellow Golden Yellow
Streak: Yellow
Luster: Pearly
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Lamellar Crystals, Tabular Hexagonal Plates
Cleavage: Perfect Basal
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Nepheline Syenite Pegmatites
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find shafranovskite

Classic worldwide localities

Khibiny Massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Look in nepheline syenite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where shafranovskite typically forms. If you start seeing aegirine, eudialyte, kalsilite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a lamellar crystals, tabular hexagonal plates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify shafranovskite?+

Mohs hardness is 2. It typically shows a pearly luster. The streak is yellow. Common colors include yellow, golden yellow.

Where is shafranovskite found?+

Notable localities include Khibiny Massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia.

How much is shafranovskite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like shafranovskite?+

Shafranovskite is most often confused with Terskite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with shafranovskite?+

Shafranovskite commonly co-occurs with Aegirine, Eudialyte, Kalsilite, Natrolite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does shafranovskite form in?+

Shafranovskite typically forms in nepheline syenite pegmatites. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is shafranovskite used for?+

Shafranovskite is used in collector.

Find shafranovskite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.