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, 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
How do you identify cancrinite?+
Where is cancrinite found?+
How much is cancrinite worth?+
What rocks look like cancrinite?+
What minerals are found with cancrinite?+
What kind of rock does cancrinite form in?+
What is cancrinite used for?+
Find cancrinite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
