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. Streak: pale yellow.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: bronze brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: prismatic.
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.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Nalivkinite leaves pale yellow, Lepidolite leaves white; luster reads vitreous on Nalivkinite and pearly to vitreous 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
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {001}, good on {010}, imperfect on {100}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In fenitized amphibole-quartz-feldspar rock from a complex alkaline massif
Where rockhounds find nalivkinite
Classic worldwide localities
- Dar-i-Pioz glacier, Alai mountain range, northern Tajikistan (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In fenitized amphibole-quartz-feldspar rock from a complex alkaline massif. If you start seeing alkali amphibole, quartz, microcline in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic. 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
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