Ekebergite is a massive, altered variety of scapolite commonly found in metamorphic rocks like skarns and gneisses. It is best identified by its columnar habit and slightly greasy or vitreous luster, though it often lacks the distinct crystal terminations found in other scapolite group members.
Is this ekebergite?
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 ekebergite with a known reference. Ekebergite 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. Ekebergite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Ekebergite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, gray, yellow, greenish.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: massive, columnar, or coarse prismatic.
Often confused with
Ekebergite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside ekebergite
Minerals reported to co-occur with ekebergite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Na,Ca)₄(AlSi)₃Si₆O₂₄(Cl,CO₃,SO₄)
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 2.6-2.7 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Columnar, Or Coarse Prismatic
- Cleavage
- Distinct Prismatic
- Fluorescence
- Sometimes Yellow or Orange Under UV
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Collector, Mineralogical Study
- Host rock
- Metamorphic Limestone, Skarns, And Gneiss
- Typical price
- $5-30 for typical specimens
Where rockhounds find ekebergite
Classic worldwide localities
- Pargas, Finland
- Arendal, Norway
- New York, USA
- Ontario, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphic limestone, skarns, and gneiss country — that is the host setting where ekebergite typically forms. If you start seeing pyroxene, amphibole, garnet in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, columnar, or coarse prismatic habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify ekebergite?+
Where is ekebergite found?+
How much is ekebergite worth?+
What rocks look like ekebergite?+
What minerals are found with ekebergite?+
What kind of rock does ekebergite form in?+
What is ekebergite used for?+
Find ekebergite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
