Zeravshanite is a rare cyclosilicate mineral primarily found in the Dara-i-Pioz alkaline massif of Tajikistan. It typically occurs as small, clear to white tabular crystals within pegmatite veins and is highly prized by advanced mineral collectors for its unique structure and restricted locality.
Is this zeravshanite?
4-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 zeravshanite with a known reference. Zeravshanite sits at Mohs 6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 3Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless.
- 4Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: aggregates, tabular.
Often confused with
Zeravshanite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside zeravshanite
Minerals reported to co-occur with zeravshanite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₂Cs₄Zr₃Si₁₈O₄₅·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 6
- Density
- 3.09 g/cm³
- Colors
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Aggregates, tabular
- Cleavage
- One unspecified direction
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A pegmatite mineral in a quartz rock fragment in glacial sediment derived from an alkaline massif
Where rockhounds find zeravshanite
Classic worldwide localities
- Glacial moraine of the Dara-i-Pioz clacier, Alai mountain range, Tien-Shan Mountains, Tajikistan (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A pegmatite mineral in a quartz rock fragment in glacial sediment derived from an alkaline massif. If you start seeing intergrowth with pectolite, quartz, aegirine in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: aggregates, tabular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify zeravshanite?+
Where is zeravshanite found?+
What rocks look like zeravshanite?+
What minerals are found with zeravshanite?+
What kind of rock does zeravshanite form in?+
What is zeravshanite used for?+
Find zeravshanite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
