Bobtraillite is a rare silicate mineral primarily found in alkaline intrusive complexes. It typically presents as small, yellow to brown prismatic crystals often occurring in cavities of nepheline syenite.
Is this bobtraillite?
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 bobtraillite with a known reference. Bobtraillite sits at Mohs 3-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Bobtraillite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Bobtraillite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Bobtraillite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside bobtraillite
Minerals reported to co-occur with bobtraillite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Na,Ca)₆(Zr,Y,REE)₂Si₆O₁₈(CO₃,OH,H₂O)₃
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 2.78 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals
- Cleavage
- Distinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Nepheline Syenite
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find bobtraillite
Classic worldwide localities
- Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada
- Khibiny Massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in nepheline syenite country — that is the host setting where bobtraillite typically forms. If you start seeing aegirine, microcline, nepheline in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find bobtraillite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
