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 — 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 — that is 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.