Vigrishinite is a rare zinc titanium sodium silicate, typically pale pink. It was approved as a distinct mineral species in 2011. It was first described from pegmatite 71, Malyi Punkaruaiv Mt., Lovozero alkaline massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia.

Hardness

2.5-3

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent to translucent

mineralrareTschernichite Group family

Vigrishinite

Hardness: 2.5-3
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent to translucent

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Is this vigrishinite?

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 vigrishinite with a known reference. Vigrishinite sits at Mohs 2.5-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: 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: pale pink, yellowish pink, colorless.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals, granular aggregates.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Tschernichite

Mohs 4.5

How to tell apart: Tschernichite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.5 vs. 2.5-3).

How to tell apart: Hemimorphite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.5-5 vs. 2.5-3).

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Often found alongside vigrishinite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Zn☐Ti₂Na☐Ti₂(Si₂O₇)₂O₂O(OH)(H₂O)₄
Mohs hardness: 2.5-3
Density: 3.03 g/cm³
Colors: Pale pinkYellowish pinkColorless
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent to translucent
Crystal system: Triclinic
Crystal habit: Platy crystals, granular aggregates
Cleavage: Perfect on {001}
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In a zoned peralkaline pegmatite located in foyaite and lujavrite rocks of a layered alkaline igneous complex

Where rockhounds find vigrishinite

Classic worldwide localities

Lovozero Massif, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In a zoned peralkaline pegmatite located in foyaite and lujavrite rocks of a layered alkaline igneous complex. If you start seeing microcline, ussingite, aegirine in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy crystals, granular aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify vigrishinite?+

Mohs hardness is 2.5-3. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include pale pink, yellowish pink, colorless.

Where is vigrishinite found?+

Notable localities include Lovozero Massif, Russia.

What rocks look like vigrishinite?+

Vigrishinite is most often confused with Tschernichite, Hemimorphite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with vigrishinite?+

Vigrishinite commonly co-occurs with Microcline, Ussingite, Aegirine, Analcime, Natrolite, Gmelinite-Na. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does vigrishinite form in?+

Where it forms: In a zoned peralkaline pegmatite located in foyaite and lujavrite rocks of a layered alkaline igneous complex. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is vigrishinite used for?+

Vigrishinite is used in collector.

Find vigrishinite on the map

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