Cryptophyllite is a rare titanium silicate mineral found primarily in alkaline igneous rocks like nepheline syenites. It typically occurs as small tabular crystals or crusts and is best identified by its association with unique minerals in the Kola Peninsula massifs.
Is this cryptophyllite?
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 cryptophyllite with a known reference. Cryptophyllite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Cryptophyllite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Cryptophyllite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish-green, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, aggregates.
Often confused with
Cryptophyllite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside cryptophyllite
Minerals reported to co-occur with cryptophyllite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₂KTi₂Si₄O₁₂(OH)₂·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 3.4 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect in One Direction
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Nepheline Syenite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find cryptophyllite
Classic worldwide localities
- Lovozero Massif, Russia
- Khibiny Massif, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in nepheline syenite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where cryptophyllite typically forms. If you start seeing aegirine, nepheline, microcline in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify cryptophyllite?+
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Find cryptophyllite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
