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, 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.
