Vladykinite is an extremely rare silicate mineral found primarily within the unique alkaline rocks of the Murun Massif in Siberia. It typically forms as prismatic, colorless to white crystals and is a significant find for advanced systematic collectors due to its complex chemical structure and limited occurrence.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrarenull family

Vladykinite

Hardness: 6
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this vladykinite?

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 vladykinite with a known reference. Vladykinite sits at Mohs 6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Vladykinite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Vladykinite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Tinaksite

Mohs 6

How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Vladykinite and vitreous to pearly on Tinaksite.

Often found alongside vladykinite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Na₂Sr₄(Si₈O₂₀)F₄
Mohs hardness: 6
Density: 2.84 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless White
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Prismatic Crystals
Cleavage: Distinct On {010}
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Alkaline Igneous Rocks
Typical price: $100-500 for high-quality micro-specimens

Where rockhounds find vladykinite

Classic worldwide localities

Murun Massif, Sakha Republic, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Look in alkaline igneous rocks country — that is the host setting where vladykinite typically forms. If you start seeing tokkoite, tinaksite, aegirine in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify vladykinite?+

Mohs hardness is 6. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, white.

Where is vladykinite found?+

Notable localities include Murun Massif, Sakha Republic, Russia.

How much is vladykinite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $100-500 for high-quality micro-specimens. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like vladykinite?+

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

What minerals are found with vladykinite?+

Vladykinite commonly co-occurs with tokkoite, tinaksite, aegirine, kalsilite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does vladykinite form in?+

Vladykinite typically forms in alkaline igneous rocks. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is vladykinite used for?+

Vladykinite is used in collector.

Find vladykinite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.