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. Zhemchuzhnikovite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Zhemchuzhnikovite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark blue, blue-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals, aggregates.
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
- NaMg(Fe,Al)(C₂O₄)₃·9H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 1.74 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Coal-bearing Sedimentary Sequences
- Typical price
- $50-500+ micro-specimen
Where rockhounds find zhemchuzhnikovite
Classic worldwide localities
- Chazhma coal mine, Yakutia, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in coal-bearing sedimentary sequences country — that is the host setting where zhemchuzhnikovite typically forms. If you start seeing weddellite, whewellite, kaolinite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify zhemchuzhnikovite?+
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Find zhemchuzhnikovite on the map
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