Nalivkinite is a rare lithium sodium iron silicate, typically brown with a bronze hue. It occurs in fenitized amphibole-quartz-feldspar rock from a complex alkaline massif. It was first described from the moraine of the Darai-Pioz glacier, Zeravshan, and Alay Ranges, Tajikistan.
Is this nalivkinite?
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 nalivkinite with a known reference. Nalivkinite sits at Mohs 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Nalivkinite leaves a pale yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Nalivkinite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals, micaceous masses.
Often confused with
Nalivkinite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Nalivkinite leaves pale yellow, Muscovite leaves white; luster reads vitreous on Nalivkinite and pearly on Muscovite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Nalivkinite leaves pale yellow, Lepidolite leaves white; luster reads vitreous on Nalivkinite and pearly on Lepidolite.
Often found alongside nalivkinite
Minerals reported to co-occur with nalivkinite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Li₂NaFe²⁺₇Ti₂(Si₄O₁₂)₂O₂(OH)₄F(H₂O)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 3.32 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale Yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Micaceous Masses
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}, Good On {010}, Imperfect On {100}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Pegmatites
Where rockhounds find nalivkinite
Classic worldwide localities
- moraine of the Darai-Pioz glacier, and Alay Ranges, Tajikistan
Field-hunting tip
Look in pegmatites country, the host setting where nalivkinite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, feldspar in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, micaceous masses habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify nalivkinite?+
Where is nalivkinite found?+
What rocks look like nalivkinite?+
What minerals are found with nalivkinite?+
What kind of rock does nalivkinite form in?+
What is nalivkinite used for?+
Find nalivkinite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
