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, 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?+
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Find edingtonite on the map
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