Vuonnemite is a rare niobium-bearing silicate mineral found in agpaitic alkaline igneous rocks. It typically occurs as flattened, tabular crystals or as lamellar aggregates within pegmatitic dikes, showing a distinct pearly luster on cleavage faces.

Hardness

2.5-3

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrareLomonosovite Group family

Vuonnemite

Hardness: 2.5-3
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

Is this vuonnemite?

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 vuonnemite with a known reference. Vuonnemite sits at Mohs 2.5-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Vuonnemite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Vuonnemite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: yellow, orange, brown.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, lamellar masses.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Lomonosovite

Mohs 3-4

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Vuonnemite leaves white, Lomonosovite leaves yellowish brown.

How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Vuonnemite and pearly on Murmanite.

Compare →

Often found alongside vuonnemite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Na₅TiNb₂(Si₂O₇)₂(O,OH,F)₇
Mohs hardness: 2.5-3
Density: 3.17 g/cm³
Colors: Yellow Orange Brown
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Triclinic
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals, Lamellar Masses
Cleavage: Perfect On {001}
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector, Scientific Research
Host rock: Nepheline Syenite Pegmatites
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find vuonnemite

Classic worldwide localities

Kola Peninsula, Russia
Lovozero Massif, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Look in nepheline syenite pegmatites country, the host setting where vuonnemite typically forms. If you start seeing nepheline, microcline, aegirine in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, lamellar masses habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify vuonnemite?+

Mohs hardness is 2.5-3. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include yellow, orange, brown.

Where is vuonnemite found?+

Notable localities include Kola Peninsula, Russia; Lovozero Massif, Russia.

How much is vuonnemite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like vuonnemite?+

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

What minerals are found with vuonnemite?+

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

What kind of rock does vuonnemite form in?+

Vuonnemite typically forms in nepheline syenite pegmatites. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is vuonnemite used for?+

Vuonnemite is used in collector, scientific research.

Find vuonnemite on the map

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