Yusupovite is a rare member of the eudialyte group primarily found in the agpaitic pegmatites of the Lovozero Massif in Russia. It typically occurs as colorlessish to brownish tabular crystals or massive aggregates within alkalic igneous rocks. It is highly sought after by advanced collectors of rare earth and zirconium-bearing silicates.
Is this yusupovite?
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 yusupovite with a known reference. Yusupovite 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: colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive.
Often confused with
Yusupovite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside yusupovite
Minerals reported to co-occur with yusupovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₂Zr(Si₆O₁₅)·3H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 2.69 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals, massive
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {110}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In glacial moraine derived from an alkaline igneous complex
Where rockhounds find yusupovite
Classic worldwide localities
- Darai-Pioz glacier, upper reaches of the Darai-Pioz River, Alaisky mountain ridge, Tien-Shan Mountains, Tajikistan
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In glacial moraine derived from an alkaline igneous complex. If you start seeing reedmergnerite, quartz, pectolite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify yusupovite?+
Where is yusupovite found?+
What rocks look like yusupovite?+
What minerals are found with yusupovite?+
What kind of rock does yusupovite form in?+
What is yusupovite used for?+
Find yusupovite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
