Sokolovaite is an extremely rare cesium-lithium mica first described from the Dara-i-Pioz alkaline massif. It typically occurs as small, delicate platy crystals embedded within pegmatite matrices alongside rare silicates.
Is this sokolovaite?
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 sokolovaite with a known reference. Sokolovaite sits at Mohs 2.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Sokolovaite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Sokolovaite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, pinkish.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: platy crystals, micaceous masses.
Often confused with
Sokolovaite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside sokolovaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with sokolovaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CsLi₂AlSi₄O₁₀F₂
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 2.78 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Micaceous Masses
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on specimen size and clarity
Where rockhounds find sokolovaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Dara-i-Pioz Glacier, Tajikistan
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline pegmatites country, the host setting where sokolovaite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, microcline, aegirine in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, micaceous masses habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify sokolovaite?+
Where is sokolovaite found?+
How much is sokolovaite worth?+
What rocks look like sokolovaite?+
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Find sokolovaite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
