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, 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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