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 — that is 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.
Common questions
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Find analcite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
