Agrellite is a rare sodium calcium silicate mineral characterized by its striking bright pink fluorescence under shortwave ultraviolet light. It is primarily found in the alkaline complex of Kipawa, Quebec, often occurring in massive or platy forms associated with eudialyte and other rare alkaline minerals.
Is this agrellite?
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 agrellite with a known reference. Agrellite sits at Mohs 5.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Agrellite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Agrellite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, gray, pinkish.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: platy, fibrous, or massive.
Often confused with
Agrellite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside agrellite
Minerals reported to co-occur with agrellite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaCa₂Si₄O₁₀F
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5
- Density
- 2.88 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy, Fibrous, Or Massive
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {010}
- Fluorescence
- Bright Pink Under SW UV
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Fluorescent Mineral Display
- Host rock
- Alkaline Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $20-150 for cabinet specimens
Where rockhounds find agrellite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kipawa alkaline complex, Quebec, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline pegmatites country — that is the host setting where agrellite typically forms. If you start seeing eudialyte, fluorite, aegirine in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy, fibrous, or massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find agrellite on the map
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