Afghanite is a complex silicate mineral often found in association with lapis lazuli, most famously in the Sar-e-Sang mines of Afghanistan. It is highly prized by collectors for its brilliant blue color and intense orange fluorescence under long-wave ultraviolet light.

Hardness

5.5-6

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrareCancrinite Group family

Afghanite

Hardness: 5.5-6
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

Is this afghanite?

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 afghanite with a known reference. Afghanite sits at Mohs 5.5-6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Afghanite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Afghanite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: blue, colorless, white, gray.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, massive, granular.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Lazurite

Mohs 5-5.5

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Afghanite leaves white, Lazurite leaves light blue.

Often found alongside afghanite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: (Na,Ca,K)₈(Si₆Al₆)O₂₄(SO₄,Cl,OH)₂
Mohs hardness: 5.5-6
Density: 2.55-2.65 g/cm³
Colors: Blue Colorless White Gray
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Hexagonal
Crystal habit: Prismatic Crystals, Massive, Granular
Cleavage: Perfect
Fluorescence: Strong Orange Under UV Light
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector, Gemstone
Host rock: Metamorphosed Limestone and Skarn Deposits
Typical price: $20-200 per gram for gem quality

Where rockhounds find afghanite

Classic worldwide localities

Sar-e-Sang, Afghanistan
Lake Baikal, Russia
Pitigliano, Italy
Edwards, New York, USA

Field-hunting tip

Look in metamorphosed limestone and skarn deposits country, the host setting where afghanite typically forms. If you start seeing lazurite, calcite, pyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify afghanite?+

Mohs hardness is 5.5-6. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include blue, colorless, white, gray.

Where is afghanite found?+

Notable localities include Sar-e-Sang, Afghanistan; Lake Baikal, Russia; Pitigliano, Italy; Edwards, New York, USA.

How much is afghanite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $20-200 per gram for gem quality. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like afghanite?+

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

What minerals are found with afghanite?+

Afghanite commonly co-occurs with Lazurite, Calcite, Pyrite, Diopside, Phlogopite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does afghanite form in?+

Afghanite typically forms in metamorphosed limestone and skarn deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is afghanite used for?+

Afghanite is used in collector, gemstone.

Find afghanite on the map

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