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 — 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 — that is 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.