Olekminskite is a rare strontium carbonate mineral primarily discovered in the Murun alkaline complex of Russia. It typically forms small tabular crystals or massive aggregates within alkaline pegmatites and is highly prized by advanced mineral collectors.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Olekminskite

Hardness: 3
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

No image

Is this olekminskite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch olekminskite with a known reference. Olekminskite sits at Mohs 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, snow white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive.

Often confused with

Olekminskite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

Often found alongside olekminskite

Minerals reported to co-occur with olekminskite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Sr₂(CO₃)₂
Mohs hardness: 3
Density: 3.70 g/cm³
Colors: White Snow white
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Tabular crystals, massive
Cleavage: Perfect
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In barytocalcite–quartz veins in intrusive breccia in an alkaline massif

Where rockhounds find olekminskite

Classic worldwide localities

Kedrovyi massif, five km southeast of the Murun massif, Aldan Shield, Sakha, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In barytocalcite–quartz veins in intrusive breccia in an alkaline massif. If you start seeing paralstonite, calcite, barite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify olekminskite?+

Mohs hardness is 3. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include white, snow white.

Where is olekminskite found?+

Notable localities include Kedrovyi massif, five km southeast of the Murun massif, Aldan Shield, Sakha, Russia.

What rocks look like olekminskite?+

Olekminskite is most often confused with Dresserite, Strontianite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with olekminskite?+

Olekminskite commonly co-occurs with Paralstonite, Calcite, Barite, Ankerite, Ancylite-, Narsarsukite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does olekminskite form in?+

Where it forms: In barytocalcite–quartz veins in intrusive breccia in an alkaline massif. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is olekminskite used for?+

Olekminskite is used in collector.

Find olekminskite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.