Vladimirivanovite is a rare member of the sodalite group known for its distinct bright blue fluorescence under UV light. It is primarily found in alkaline volcanic rocks and is sought after by mineral collectors for its unique structural properties.
Is this vladimirivanovite?
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 vladimirivanovite with a known reference. Vladimirivanovite sits at Mohs 5-5.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: blue.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous to greasy.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark blue, ink-blue, greenish-blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Vladimirivanovite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Vladimirivanovite leaves blue, Sodalite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Vladimirivanovite leaves blue, Haüyne leaves slightly bluish to colorless.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Vladimirivanovite leaves blue, Nosean leaves bluish white.
Often found alongside vladimirivanovite
Minerals reported to co-occur with vladimirivanovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₆Ca₂[Al₆Si₆O₂₄](SO₄,(S₃),(S₂),Cl)₂·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 5-5.5
- Density
- 2.48 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Blue
- Luster
- Vitreous to greasy
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals
- Cleavage
- Distinct on {010}
- Fluorescence
- Bright blue under UV light
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In highly metamorphosed rocks of granulite facies at the contacts of dolomitic marbles with granites
Where rockhounds find vladimirivanovite
Classic worldwide localities
- Lyajvardara lazurite deposit, South-Western Pamir, Tajikistan, Russia
- Tultuy lazurite deposit, South-West of Lake Baikal, Irkutsk region, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In highly metamorphosed rocks of granulite facies at the contacts of dolomitic marbles with granites. If you start seeing lazurite, calcite, afhganite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify vladimirivanovite?+
Where is vladimirivanovite found?+
What rocks look like vladimirivanovite?+
What minerals are found with vladimirivanovite?+
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Find vladimirivanovite on the map
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