Vinogradovite is a rare titanium-rich silicate mineral primarily found in hyperalkaline pegmatite complexes. It typically occurs as delicate, fibrous, or acicular spray-like crystals, often forming within cavities alongside other rare alkaline minerals.
Is this vinogradovite?
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 vinogradovite with a known reference. Vinogradovite sits at Mohs ~4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: bladed, prismatic, pseudo orthorhombic.
Often confused with
Vinogradovite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside vinogradovite
Minerals reported to co-occur with vinogradovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₄Ti₄(Si₂O₆)₂[(Si,Al)₄O₁₀]O₄·(H₂O,Na,K)₃
- Mohs hardness
- ~4
- Density
- 2.85-2.97 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Bladed, prismatic, pseudo orthorhombic
- Cleavage
- {010}, perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A late-stage hydrothermal mineral in cavities and veins, and replacing titanium-bearing minerals, in alkalic pegmatites in differentiated alkalic massifs (Kola Peninsula, Russia)
Where rockhounds find vinogradovite
Classic worldwide localities
- Khibiny, Lovozero, and Kovdor massifs, Kola Peninsula, and the Inagli massif, 30 km west of Aldan, Yakutia, Russia
- Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A late-stage hydrothermal mineral in cavities and veins, and replacing titanium-bearing minerals, in alkalic pegmatites in differentiated alkalic massifs (Kola Peninsula, Russia). If you start seeing lorenzenite, lamprophyllite, catapleiite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: bladed, prismatic, pseudo orthorhombic. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify vinogradovite?+
Where is vinogradovite found?+
What rocks look like vinogradovite?+
What minerals are found with vinogradovite?+
What kind of rock does vinogradovite form in?+
What is vinogradovite used for?+
Find vinogradovite on the map
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