Mogovidite is a rare titanium-bearing garnet species characterized by its dark, often near-black appearance. Collectors typically find it in alkaline complexes, where it forms distinct dodecahedral crystals associated with nepheline syenites and related igneous rocks.
Is this mogovidite?
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 mogovidite with a known reference. Mogovidite sits at Mohs 5.5, 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.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark reddish brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular.
Often confused with
Mogovidite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Andradite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6.5-7 vs. 5.5); luster reads vitreous on Mogovidite and adamantine to resinous, dull on Andradite.
How to tell apart: Schorlomite is the harder of the two (Mohs 7-7.5 vs. 5.5); streak differs, so Mogovidite leaves white, Schorlomite leaves grayish black to red-orange or orange-brown.
Often found alongside mogovidite
Minerals reported to co-occur with mogovidite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₉(Ca,Na)₁₂Fe₂Zr₃Si₂₅O₇₂(CO₃)(OH)₄
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5
- Density
- 2.90 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In a nepheline-pectolite vein within ijolite
Where rockhounds find mogovidite
Classic worldwide localities
- Northern face of the iron-ore mine, Kovdor massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In a nepheline-pectolite vein within ijolite. If you start seeing nepheline, pectolite, aegirine-augite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify mogovidite?+
Where is mogovidite found?+
What rocks look like mogovidite?+
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Find mogovidite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
