Odigitriaite is a rare cesium sodium calcium oxide that forms colorless irregular elongated grains. It occurs in glacial cobbles in moraine derived from an alkaline massif. It was first described from Darai-Pioz alkaline massif, Tajikistan.
Is this odigitriaite?
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 odigitriaite with a known reference. Odigitriaite sits at Mohs 5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Odigitriaite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Odigitriaite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: irregular elongated grains.
Often confused with
Odigitriaite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside odigitriaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with odigitriaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CsNa₅Ca₅[Si₁₄B₂O₃₈]F₂
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 2.80 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Irregular Elongated Grains
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Agpaitic Pegmatites
Where rockhounds find odigitriaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Darai-Pioz alkaline massif, Tajikistan
Field-hunting tip
Look in agpaitic pegmatites country, the host setting where odigitriaite typically forms. If you start seeing aegirine, nepheline, microcline in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a irregular elongated grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify odigitriaite?+
Where is odigitriaite found?+
What rocks look like odigitriaite?+
What minerals are found with odigitriaite?+
What kind of rock does odigitriaite form in?+
What is odigitriaite used for?+
Find odigitriaite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
