Analcite is a common zeolite mineral typically recognized by its distinct trapezohedral crystal habit, often looking like a modified cube. It is frequently found lining vugs in basaltic flows and associated with other zeolites and calcite in hydrothermal settings.
Is this analcite?
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 analcite with a known reference. Analcite 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. Analcite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Analcite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, gray, reddish, greenish.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: isometric. Typical habit: trapezohedral crystals, granular, massive.
Often confused with
Analcite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside analcite
Minerals reported to co-occur with analcite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaAlSi₂O₆·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 5-5.5
- Density
- 2.24-2.29 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Isometric
- Crystal habit
- Trapezohedral Crystals, Granular, Massive
- Cleavage
- Poor On {100}
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Igneous Rocks, Specifically Basaltic Cavities, Volcanic Rocks, And Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $5-50 for thumbnail specimens, $100+ for large cabinet pieces
Where rockhounds find analcite
3 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Cyclops Islands, Italy
- Cape Blomidon, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Table Mountain, Colorado, USA
- Khibiny Massif, Russia
- Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy
Field-hunting tip
Look in igneous rocks, specifically basaltic cavities, volcanic rocks, and hydrothermal veins country, the host setting where analcite typically forms. If you start seeing natrolite, chabazite, heulandite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a trapezohedral crystals, granular, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Utah, California. Start trip planning there.
More analcite photos
Common questions
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Find analcite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
