Voronkovite is a very rare silicate mineral found in the highly alkaline rocks of the Lovozero Massif in Russia. It typically occurs as small, pseudo-hexagonal tabular crystals associated with other rare-earth and zirconium-bearing minerals in pegmatitic veins.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrareLovozerite Group family

Voronkovite

Hardness: 5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

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Is this voronkovite?

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

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside voronkovite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Na₄(Na,Mn)₃CaFe³⁺ZrSi₆O₁₈(OH,O)₃
Mohs hardness: 5
Density: 2.68 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless White Pale Pink
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Pseudo-hexagonal Tabular Crystals
Cleavage: None Observed
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Alkaline Pegmatites
Typical price: $100-500 depending on specimen size and clarity

Where rockhounds find voronkovite

Classic worldwide localities

Kola Peninsula, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Look in alkaline pegmatites country — that is the host setting where voronkovite typically forms. If you start seeing aegirine, microcline, nepheline in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a pseudo-hexagonal tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify voronkovite?+

Mohs hardness is 5. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, white, pale pink.

Where is voronkovite found?+

Notable localities include Kola Peninsula, Russia.

How much is voronkovite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $100-500 depending on specimen size and clarity. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like voronkovite?+

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

What minerals are found with voronkovite?+

Voronkovite commonly co-occurs with Aegirine, Microcline, Nepheline, Eudialyte. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does voronkovite form in?+

Voronkovite typically forms in alkaline pegmatites. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is voronkovite used for?+

Voronkovite is used in collector.

Find voronkovite on the map

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