Edingtonite is a rare barium-rich zeolite often found as small, sharp, pseudo-tetragonal crystals. It is highly sought after by collectors for its crystal symmetry and is typically found in igneous rocks like nepheline syenite or as a late-stage mineral in volcanic cavities.
Is this edingtonite?
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 edingtonite with a known reference. Edingtonite sits at Mohs 4-4.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Edingtonite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Edingtonite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, gray, pink, yellow, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, often pseudo-tetragonal or pyramidal.
Often confused with
Edingtonite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside edingtonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with edingtonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- BaAl₂Si₃O₁₀·4H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 4-4.5
- Density
- 2.67-2.71 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Often Pseudo-tetragonal or Pyramidal
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {110}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Nepheline Syenites and Hydrothermal Cavities in Volcanic Rocks
- Typical price
- $20-150 for small specimens, rare fine crystals can exceed $500
Where rockhounds find edingtonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Bohlet, Sweden
- Ice River, British Columbia, Canada
- Dunbartonshire, Scotland
- Khibiny Massif, Russia
- Fairfax County, Virginia, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in nepheline syenites and hydrothermal cavities in volcanic rocks country — that is the host setting where edingtonite typically forms. If you start seeing natrolite, analcime, apophyllite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, often pseudo-tetragonal or pyramidal habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify edingtonite?+
Where is edingtonite found?+
How much is edingtonite worth?+
What rocks look like edingtonite?+
What minerals are found with edingtonite?+
What kind of rock does edingtonite form in?+
What is edingtonite used for?+
Find edingtonite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
