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. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 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
Where rockhounds find elixirite
1 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- California, USA
- Mexico
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: hydrothermal veins. If you start seeing quartz, albite, mica in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: massive. 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
How do you identify elixirite?+
Where is elixirite found?+
Can I find elixirite in the United States?+
What rocks look like elixirite?+
What minerals are found with elixirite?+
What kind of rock does elixirite form in?+
What is elixirite used for?+
Find elixirite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
