Malinkoite is a rare sodium borosilicate mineral typically found as small, white to pale rose hexagonal prisms or grains within alkaline intrusive complexes. It is almost exclusively associated with the famous Mont Saint-Hilaire locality in Quebec, where it occurs in pegmatite pockets.
Is this malinkoite?
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 malinkoite with a known reference. Malinkoite sits at Mohs 7, 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, spherulites are pearly or silky.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, rosy cream, pale pink, greenish blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: prismatic, rosette.
Often confused with
Malinkoite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Malinkoite is noticeably harder (Mohs 7 vs. 5.5-6).
How to tell apart: Malinkoite is noticeably harder (Mohs 7 vs. 5.5-6).
How to tell apart: Malinkoite is noticeably harder (Mohs 7 vs. 5.5-6).
Often found alongside malinkoite
Minerals reported to co-occur with malinkoite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaBSiO₄
- Mohs hardness
- 7
- Density
- 2.85-2.90 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous, spherulites are pearly or silky
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic, rosette
- Cleavage
- Distinct on {001}; distinct on {h00}
- Fluorescence
- Dull pinkish lilac under SW UV; bright greenish yellow under LW UV
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In a cavity in the ussingite-rich core of a hyperagpaitic pegmatite
Where rockhounds find malinkoite
Classic worldwide localities
- Mt. Karnasurt (type locality) and Mt. Alluaiv, Lovozero massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
- Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In a cavity in the ussingite-rich core of a hyperagpaitic pegmatite. If you start seeing ussingite, chkalovite, nordite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic, rosette. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify malinkoite?+
Where is malinkoite found?+
What rocks look like malinkoite?+
What minerals are found with malinkoite?+
What kind of rock does malinkoite form in?+
What is malinkoite used for?+
Find malinkoite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
