Zirsinalite is a rare cyclosilicate mineral found primarily in alkaline igneous massifs in the Kola Peninsula. It typically appears as yellow to brownish-pink grains or small tabular crystals and is notably associated with complex nepheline syenite assemblages.

Hardness

5.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Zirsinalite

Hardness: 5.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this zirsinalite?

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 zirsinalite with a known reference. Zirsinalite sits at Mohs 5.5, 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: colorless, pale yellow gray.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive.

Often confused with

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

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Zirsinalite leaves white, Lovozerite leaves brown.

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Often found alongside zirsinalite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Na₆CaZrSi₆O₁₈
Mohs hardness: 5.5
Density: 2.88-2.92 g/cm³
Colors: ColorlessPale yellow gray
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Tabular crystals, massive
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In pegmatitic veinlets cutting alkalic rocks in differentiated alkalic massifs

Where rockhounds find zirsinalite

Classic worldwide localities

Mts. Koashva and Yukspor, Khibiny massif, and in the Lovozero massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In pegmatitic veinlets cutting alkalic rocks in differentiated alkalic massifs. If you start seeing aegirine, lomonosovite, barian lamprophyllite 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 zirsinalite?+

Mohs hardness is 5.5. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, pale yellow gray.

Where is zirsinalite found?+

Notable localities include Mts. Koashva and Yukspor, Khibiny massif, and in the Lovozero massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia.

What rocks look like zirsinalite?+

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

What minerals are found with zirsinalite?+

Zirsinalite commonly co-occurs with Aegirine, Lomonosovite, Barian lamprophyllite, Lovozerite, Eudialyte. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does zirsinalite form in?+

Where it forms: In pegmatitic veinlets cutting alkalic rocks in differentiated alkalic massifs. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is zirsinalite used for?+

Zirsinalite is used in collector.

Find zirsinalite on the map

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