Goryainovite is a rare calcium phosphate that forms colorless rounded grains. It occurs in diopside-amphibole skarn in metamorphosed greenstone, metavolcanic and metasedimentary rocks. It was first described from Stora Sahavaara iron ore deposit, Norrbotten county, Sweden.
Is this goryainovite?
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 goryainovite with a known reference. Goryainovite sits at Mohs 4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Goryainovite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Goryainovite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: rounded grains.
Often confused with
Goryainovite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside goryainovite
Minerals reported to co-occur with goryainovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₂(PO₄)Cl
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 2.98 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Rounded Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Igneous Rocks
Where rockhounds find goryainovite
Classic worldwide localities
- Stora Sahavaara iron ore deposit, Norrbotten county, Sweden
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline igneous rocks country, the host setting where goryainovite typically forms. If you start seeing baddeleyite, magnetite, forsterite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a rounded grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify goryainovite?+
Where is goryainovite found?+
What rocks look like goryainovite?+
What minerals are found with goryainovite?+
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Find goryainovite on the map
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