Vishnevite is a rare member of the cancrinite group often found in alkaline igneous complexes. It forms as prismatic crystals or granular masses and is visually very similar to its relative cancrinite, typically requiring chemical analysis for definitive identification.
Is this vishnevite?
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 vishnevite with a known reference. Vishnevite sits at Mohs 5-6, 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 to pearly.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, yellow, light blue, light gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: irregular grains, prismatic.
Often confused with
Vishnevite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside vishnevite
Minerals reported to co-occur with vishnevite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₈(Al₆Si₆)O₂₄(SO₄)·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 2.32-2.42 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous to pearly
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Irregular grains, prismatic
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {1010}, poor on {0001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific research
- Host rock
- In poikilitic aegirine-nepheline-sodalite syenites and associated pegmatites
Where rockhounds find vishnevite
Classic worldwide localities
- Beaver Creek, Iron Hill, Gunnison Co., Colorado, USA
- Kurochkin Valley, Vishnevy-Ilmen Mountains, Southern Ural Mountains, Russia
- Mts. Karnasurt and Alluaiv and along the Chinglusuai River, Lovozero massif, and in the Kovdor massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
- Synnyrskii massif, north Pribaikal, Russia
- Allt a' Mhuillin, Loch Borralan, Scotland
- Alnö Island, Sweden
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In poikilitic aegirine-nepheline-sodalite syenites and associated pegmatites. If you start seeing aegirine, nepheline, cancrinite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: irregular grains, prismatic. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify vishnevite?+
Where is vishnevite found?+
What rocks look like vishnevite?+
What minerals are found with vishnevite?+
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What is vishnevite used for?+
Find vishnevite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
