Yegorovite is a rare sodium silicate, typically colorless. It is a late hydrothermal, low temperature paragenesis in peralkaline pegmatite. Associated minerals include revdite, megacyclite and natrosilite. It was first described from the Palitra pegmatite, Mt. Kedykverpakhk, Lovozero alkaline massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent to translucent

mineralrare

Yegorovite

Hardness: ~2
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent to translucent

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Is this yegorovite?

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 yegorovite with a known reference. Yegorovite sits at Mohs ~2, 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: colorless.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, aggregates.

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside yegorovite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Na₄[Si₂O₄(OH)₂]₂·7H₂O
Mohs hardness: ~2
Density: 1.90 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent to translucent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Tabular crystals, aggregates
Cleavage: Perfect on (010) and (001)
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Late hydrothermal, low temperature paragenesis in peralkaline pegmatite

Where rockhounds find yegorovite

Classic worldwide localities

Palitra pegmatite, Mt. Kedykverpakhk, Lovozero alkaline massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: Late hydrothermal, low temperature paragenesis in peralkaline pegmatite. If you start seeing revdite, megacyclite, natrosilite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals, aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify yegorovite?+

Mohs hardness is ~2. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless.

Where is yegorovite found?+

Notable localities include Palitra pegmatite, Mt. Kedykverpakhk, Lovozero alkaline massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia.

What rocks look like yegorovite?+

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

What minerals are found with yegorovite?+

Yegorovite commonly co-occurs with Revdite, Megacyclite, Natrosilite, Microcline, Villiaumite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does yegorovite form in?+

Where it forms: Late hydrothermal, low temperature paragenesis in peralkaline pegmatite. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is yegorovite used for?+

Yegorovite is used in collector.

Find yegorovite on the map

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