Raite is a rare mineral typically found as fibrous, yellow-to-brown acicular needles or radiating aggregates. It is almost exclusively found in the complex alkaline pegmatites of the Kola Peninsula in Russia, often associated with other exotic titanium-bearing silicates.
Is this raite?
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 raite with a known reference. Raite sits at Mohs 2-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Raite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Raite typically shows a vitreous to silky luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brown, orange-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: acicular crystals, fibrous aggregates.
Often confused with
Raite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Apatite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5 vs. 2-3); streak differs, so Raite leaves yellow, Apatite leaves white; luster reads vitreous to silky on Raite and vitreous on Apatite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Raite leaves yellow, Astrophyllite leaves golden-brown; luster reads vitreous to silky on Raite and submetallic on Astrophyllite.
Often found alongside raite
Minerals reported to co-occur with raite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Na,Mn,Ca)₃TiSi₄O₁₂(OH,O)₂·10H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 2.3-2.4 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous to Silky
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular Crystals, Fibrous Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect in One Direction
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Igneous Rocks, Specifically Pegmatites in Nepheline Syenites
Where rockhounds find raite
Classic worldwide localities
- Khibiny Massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
- Lovozero Massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline igneous rocks, specifically pegmatites in nepheline syenites country, the host setting where raite typically forms. If you start seeing aegirine, nepheline, eudialyte in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular crystals, fibrous aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find raite on the map
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