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.
Is this vladykinite?
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 vladykinite with a known reference. Vladykinite sits at Mohs 5, 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: pinkish, grayish brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Vladykinite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
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
- Na₃Sr₄(FeFe)Si₈O₂₄
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 3.51 g/cm³
- Colors
- PinkishGrayish brown
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic crystals
- Cleavage
- Distinct on {100}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- An early magmatic phase in a dike of coarse-grained feldspathoidal syenite (lujavrite) in an alkaline igneous complex
Where rockhounds find vladykinite
Classic worldwide localities
- Mt. Maly, north-central part of the Murun complex, southwestern Yakutia, eastern Siberia, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: An early magmatic phase in a dike of coarse-grained feldspathoidal syenite (lujavrite) in an alkaline igneous complex. If you start seeing aegirine, potassium feldspar, eudialyte in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify vladykinite?+
Where is vladykinite found?+
What rocks look like vladykinite?+
What minerals are found with vladykinite?+
What kind of rock does vladykinite form in?+
What is vladykinite used for?+
Find vladykinite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
