Tikhonenkovite is an extremely rare strontium aluminum fluoride mineral typically found in hyper-agpaitic pegmatites. It often occurs as colorless to white tabular crystals or massive aggregates and is primarily valued by advanced mineral collectors for its unique chemical composition.
Is this tikhonenkovite?
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 tikhonenkovite with a known reference. Tikhonenkovite sits at Mohs 3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Tikhonenkovite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Tikhonenkovite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, granular.
Often confused with
Tikhonenkovite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside tikhonenkovite
Minerals reported to co-occur with tikhonenkovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- SrAlF₄(OH)·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 2.88 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Massive, Granular
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Igneous Rocks
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find tikhonenkovite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kola Peninsula, Russia
- Mont Saint-Hilaire, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline igneous rocks country — that is the host setting where tikhonenkovite typically forms. If you start seeing villiaumite, fluorite, chkalovite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find tikhonenkovite on the map
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