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, 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.
