Burpalite is a rare zirconium silicate mineral that typically forms colorless to pale yellow prismatic crystals in alkaline pegmatites. It is primarily sought after by advanced mineral collectors and is found in specialized geological environments like the Kola Peninsula and Mont Saint-Hilaire.
Is this burpalite?
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 burpalite with a known reference. Burpalite sits at Mohs 5.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Burpalite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Burpalite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Burpalite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside burpalite
Minerals reported to co-occur with burpalite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₂ZrSi₂O₇F₂
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5
- Density
- 2.88 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals
- Cleavage
- Good On {110}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Igneous Rocks
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find burpalite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kola Peninsula, Russia
- Mont Saint-Hilaire, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline igneous rocks country — that is the host setting where burpalite typically forms. If you start seeing aegirine, nepheline, eudialyte 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 burpalite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
