Andesine is a member of the plagioclase feldspar solid solution series, falling between oligoclase and labradorite in chemical composition. It is commonly found as a rock-forming mineral in intermediate volcanic and plutonic rocks, appearing as white to grey grains in the field.
Is this andesine?
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 andesine with a known reference. Andesine sits at Mohs 6-6.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Andesine leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Andesine typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, gray, greenish, yellowish, reddish.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, granular.
Often confused with
Andesine vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside andesine
Minerals reported to co-occur with andesine. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Na,Ca)(Si,Al)₄O₈
- Mohs hardness
- 6-6.5
- Density
- 2.66-2.68 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Massive, Granular
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}, Good On {010}
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Collector, Geological Study
- Host rock
- Igneous Rocks Such as Andesite, Diorite, And Dacite
- Typical price
- $5-30 for typical specimens
Where rockhounds find andesine
2 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Andes Mountains, South America
- Oregon, USA
- Norway
- Scotland
- Germany
Field-hunting tip
Look in igneous rocks such as andesite, diorite, and dacite country — that is the host setting where andesine typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, biotite, hornblende in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Idaho, Utah — start trip planning there.
Common questions
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Find andesine on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
