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

2-3

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

Greenish white

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrarePhyllosilicate family

Shafranovskite

Hardness: 2-3
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: Greenish white
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 2-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: greenish white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: yellow green, yellow orange, olive green.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: aggregates, granular.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Terskite

Mohs ~5

How to tell apart: Terskite is the harder of the two (Mohs ~5 vs. 2-3); streak differs, so Shafranovskite leaves greenish white, Terskite leaves white.

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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: Na₃K₂(Mn,Fe,Na)₄[Si₉(O,OH)₂₇](OH)₂(H₂O)n [n ~ 2.33]
Mohs hardness: 2-3
Density: 2.76-2.78 g/cm³
Colors: Yellow green Yellow orange Olive green
Streak: Greenish white
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Aggregates, granular
Cleavage: Well developed on {00*1}
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Produced by late-stage crystallization of alkalic nepheline syenite magmas in pegmatites in differentiated alkalic massifs

Where rockhounds find shafranovskite

Classic worldwide localities

Khibiny Massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: Produced by late-stage crystallization of alkalic nepheline syenite magmas in pegmatites in differentiated alkalic massifs. If you start seeing thermonatrite, natrophosphate, nacaphite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: aggregates, granular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify shafranovskite?+

Mohs hardness is 2-3. Luster: vitreous. The streak is greenish white. Common colors include yellow green, yellow orange, olive green.

Where is shafranovskite found?+

Notable localities include Khibiny Massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia.

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 Thermonatrite, Natrophosphate, Nacaphite, Olympite, Sidorenkite, Aegirine. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does shafranovskite form in?+

Where it forms: Produced by late-stage crystallization of alkalic nepheline syenite magmas in pegmatites in differentiated alkalic massifs. 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

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