Cancrinite is a complex feldspathoid mineral often found in alkaline igneous environments. It is most easily identified by its vibrant yellow to orange color and its characteristic bright fluorescence under long-wave ultraviolet light.
Is this cancrinite?
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 cancrinite with a known reference. Cancrinite sits at Mohs 5-6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Cancrinite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Cancrinite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, orange, white, gray, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: massive, granular, or rarely as prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Cancrinite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside cancrinite
Minerals reported to co-occur with cancrinite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Na,Ca,K)₆₋₈(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)(CO₃,SO₄,Cl)₁₋₂·nH₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 2.4-2.5 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Granular, Or Rarely as Prismatic Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect Prismatic
- Fluorescence
- Bright Yellow or Orange Under LW UV
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Decorative, Lapidary
- Host rock
- Nepheline Syenites and Alkaline Igneous Rocks
- Typical price
- $10-100 depending on specimen size and clarity
Where rockhounds find cancrinite
Classic worldwide localities
- Bancroft, Canada
- Kola Peninsula, Russia
- Langesundsfjord, Norway
- Kangerlussuaq, Greenland
Field-hunting tip
Look in nepheline syenites and alkaline igneous rocks country — that is the host setting where cancrinite typically forms. If you start seeing nepheline, sodalite, aegirine in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, granular, or rarely as prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find cancrinite on the map
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