Khvorovite is a rare lead calcium oxide, typically colorless to white. It was approved as a distinct mineral species in 2014. It was first described from the Darai-Pioz alkaline massif in the upper reaches of the Darai-Pioz river, Alaisky mountain ridge, Tien-Shan Mountains, Tajikistan.
Is this khvorovite?
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 khvorovite with a known reference. Khvorovite sits at Mohs 5-5.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Khvorovite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Khvorovite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: irregular grains.
Often confused with
Khvorovite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Grossularite Garnet is the harder of the two (Mohs 6.5-7.5 vs. 5-5.5).
How to tell apart: Andradite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6.5-7.5 vs. 5-5.5); luster reads vitreous on Khvorovite and adamantine to resinous to dull on Andradite.
Often found alongside khvorovite
Minerals reported to co-occur with khvorovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Pb₄Ca₂[Si₈B₂(SiB)O₂₈]F
- Mohs hardness
- 5-5.5
- Density
- 3.96 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Irregular Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Skarn
Where rockhounds find khvorovite
Classic worldwide localities
- Darai-Pioz alkaline massif in the upper reaches of the Darai-Pioz river, Tien-Shan Mountains, Tajikistan
Field-hunting tip
Look in skarn country, the host setting where khvorovite typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, diopside, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a irregular grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find khvorovite on the map
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