Alflarsenite is a rare beryllium silicate mineral found primarily in the alkaline pegmatites of the Langesundsfjord district in Norway. It typically occurs as small, colorless to white equant crystals and is best identified by its strong blue fluorescence under ultraviolet light.
Is this alflarsenite?
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 alflarsenite with a known reference. Alflarsenite sits at Mohs 5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Alflarsenite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Alflarsenite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: equant crystals, massive.
Often confused with
Alflarsenite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside alflarsenite
Minerals reported to co-occur with alflarsenite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- BeAlSi₂O₇(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 2.44 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Equant Crystals, Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Fluorescence
- Bright Blue Under UV
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Syenite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find alflarsenite
Classic worldwide localities
- Langesundsfjord, Norway
Field-hunting tip
Look in syenite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where alflarsenite typically forms. If you start seeing aegirine, nepheline, microcline in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a equant crystals, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify alflarsenite?+
Where is alflarsenite found?+
How much is alflarsenite worth?+
What rocks look like alflarsenite?+
What minerals are found with alflarsenite?+
What kind of rock does alflarsenite form in?+
What is alflarsenite used for?+
Find alflarsenite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
