Yuksporite is a complex silicate mineral typically found as fibrous or bladed radiating clusters with a distinctive pearly luster. It is highly sought after by collectors specializing in alkaline massifs, particularly from its type locality on the Kola Peninsula.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Semitransparent

mineralrare

Yuksporite

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

Is this yuksporite?

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 yuksporite with a known reference. Yuksporite 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. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: pink, brown pink.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: concretionary, nodular.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Pectolite

Mohs 4.5-5

How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Yuksporite and silky, subvitreous on Pectolite.

Often found alongside yuksporite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: K₄(Ca,Na)₁₄(Sr,Ba)₂(☐,Mn,Fe)(Ti,Nb)₄(O,OH)₄(Si₆O₁₇)₂(Si₂O₇)₃(H₂O,OH)₃
Mohs hardness: 5
Density: 3.05 g/cm³
Colors: PinkBrown pink
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Semitransparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Concretionary, nodular
Cleavage: Perfect
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector, Mineralogical research
Host rock: In veins in nepheline syenite in a differentiated alkalic massif (Khibiny massif, Russia)

Where rockhounds find yuksporite

Classic worldwide localities

Hackmann Valley, in Yuksporlak Pass, and on the upper Vuonnemiok River, all near Mt. Yukspor, in the Khibiny massif, Kola Peninsula, and in the Murun massif, southwest of Olekminsk, Yakutia, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In veins in nepheline syenite in a differentiated alkalic massif (Khibiny massif, Russia). If you start seeing titanite, pectolite, astrophyllite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: concretionary, nodular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify yuksporite?+

Mohs hardness is 5. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include pink, brown pink.

Where is yuksporite found?+

Notable localities include Hackmann Valley, in Yuksporlak Pass, and on the upper Vuonnemiok River, all near Mt. Yukspor, in the Khibiny massif, Kola Peninsula, and in the Murun massif, southwest of Olekminsk, Yakutia, Russia.

What rocks look like yuksporite?+

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

What minerals are found with yuksporite?+

Yuksporite commonly co-occurs with Titanite, Pectolite, Astrophyllite, Biotite, Aegirine, Kalsilite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does yuksporite form in?+

Where it forms: In veins in nepheline syenite in a differentiated alkalic massif (Khibiny massif, Russia). Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is yuksporite used for?+

Yuksporite is used in collector, mineralogical research.

Find yuksporite on the map

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