Zhemchuzhnikovite is an extremely rare organic oxalate mineral discovered in coal beds in Russia. It typically appears as small blue to blue-green tabular crystals or granular aggregates and is noted for being a naturally occurring metal-organic framework.
Is this zhemchuzhnikovite?
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 zhemchuzhnikovite with a known reference. Zhemchuzhnikovite sits at Mohs 2, 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: gray green, violet.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: acicular, fibrous, water soluble.
Often confused with
Zhemchuzhnikovite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside zhemchuzhnikovite
Minerals reported to co-occur with zhemchuzhnikovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaMgAl((C₂)O₄)₃·9H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 1.69 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Acicular, fibrous, water soluble
- Cleavage
- On {0001}, good
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In veinlets found at a depth of 230 m in a drill core in the permafrost zone, in brown coal naturally saturated with acetic acid
Where rockhounds find zhemchuzhnikovite
Classic worldwide localities
- Chai-Tumus coal deposit, 200 km south of the Lena River estuary, Bulun district, polar Sakha, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In veinlets found at a depth of 230 m in a drill core in the permafrost zone, in brown coal naturally saturated with acetic acid. If you start seeing calcite, dolomite, stepanovite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: acicular, fibrous, water soluble. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify zhemchuzhnikovite?+
Where is zhemchuzhnikovite found?+
What rocks look like zhemchuzhnikovite?+
What minerals are found with zhemchuzhnikovite?+
What kind of rock does zhemchuzhnikovite form in?+
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Find zhemchuzhnikovite on the map
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