Elixirite is a rare sodium-aluminum silicate mineral primarily found in hydrothermal settings. It typically appears as nondescript, massive white to gray aggregates that are easily overlooked by casual collectors.
Is this elixirite?
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 elixirite with a known reference. Elixirite sits at Mohs 6-7 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Elixirite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Elixirite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, gray, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: massive.
Often confused with
Elixirite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside elixirite
Minerals reported to co-occur with elixirite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₂Al₂Si₄O₁₂
- Mohs hardness
- 6-7
- Density
- 2.6-2.7 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Massive
- Cleavage
- Poor
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $10-50 thumbnail
Where rockhounds find elixirite
1 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- California, USA
- Mexico
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where elixirite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, albite, mica in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in New Mexico — start trip planning there.
Common questions
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Find elixirite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
