A white crystal aggregate of the very rare beryllium mineral lovdarite from the TL in Russia: Khibiny Massif, Murmansk Oblast, Russian Federation. Ex Vandenbroucke Museum collection from Waregem, Belgium. — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY-SA 4.0
Lovdarite
Lovdarite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the silicate class, with the chemical formula K₂Na₆Be₄Si₁₄O₃₆·9H₂O.
It crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system (space group Pma2).
Key properties: Mohs hardness 5–6; specific gravity 2.33; Vitreous luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Lov, IMA status: approved, named in 1972.
A late hydrothermal mineral in alkalic pegmatites in a differentiated alkalic massif.
It is found associated with Chkalovite.
The name comes from the Russian phrase dar Lovozera, for a gift of Lovozero.