Bøggildite is an exceptionally rare fluoride mineral first discovered in the famous cryolite deposit of Ivigtut, Greenland. It typically appears as white to colorless tabular crystals and is primarily sought after by advanced systematic mineral collectors due to its extremely limited locality distribution.
Is this bøggildite?
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 bøggildite with a known reference. Bøggildite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Bøggildite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Bøggildite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, pinkish.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, granular.
Often confused with
Bøggildite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside bøggildite
Minerals reported to co-occur with bøggildite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₂Sr₂Al₂F₁₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 3.71 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Massive, Granular
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Research
- Host rock
- Cryolite Deposits
- Typical price
- $100-500+ per specimen
Where rockhounds find bøggildite
Classic worldwide localities
- Ivigtut, Greenland
Field-hunting tip
Look in cryolite deposits country — that is the host setting where bøggildite typically forms. If you start seeing cryolite, chiolite, siderite 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.
Common questions
How do you identify bøggildite?+
Where is bøggildite found?+
How much is bøggildite worth?+
What rocks look like bøggildite?+
What minerals are found with bøggildite?+
What kind of rock does bøggildite form in?+
What is bøggildite used for?+
Find bøggildite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
