Analcime is a member of the zeolite group most easily identified by its distinctive trapezohedral crystal habit, which often mimics the shape of a garnet. It is typically found lining amygdaloidal cavities in basaltic rocks and volcanic formations. Collectors prize sharp, glassy crystals that occur in association with other delicate zeolite minerals.
Is this analcime?
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 analcime with a known reference. Analcime sits at Mohs 5-5.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Analcime leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Analcime typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, gray, pink, greenish.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: trapezohedral crystals, massive.
Often confused with
Analcime vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside analcime
Minerals reported to co-occur with analcime. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na(AlSi₂O₆)·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 5-5.5
- Density
- 2.24-2.29 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Trapezohedral Crystals, Massive
- Cleavage
- Poor On {100}
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Collector, Industrial (molecular Sieve)
- Host rock
- Igneous Cavities, Hydrothermal Veins in Basaltic Rocks
- Typical price
- $5-50 thumbnail, $50-200 cabinet specimen
Where rockhounds find analcime
5 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Cyclopean Islands, Italy
- Bay of Fundy, Canada
- Bergen Hill, New Jersey, USA
- Khibiny Massif, Russia
- Iceland
Field-hunting tip
Look in igneous cavities, hydrothermal veins in basaltic rocks country — that is the host setting where analcime typically forms. If you start seeing natrolite, chabazite, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a trapezohedral crystals, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in New Jersey, Maine — start trip planning there.
Common questions
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Find analcime on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
