Emeleusite is an exceptionally rare sodium-lithium-iron silicate mineral found primarily in hyper-alkaline igneous rocks. It typically forms small, pale, tabular crystals in syenite pegmatites, often requiring microscopic examination for positive identification. It is highly prized by advanced mineral collectors specializing in rare-earth or alkaline igneous minerals.
Is this emeleusite?
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 emeleusite with a known reference. Emeleusite 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. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, pink white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, granular.
Often confused with
Emeleusite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside emeleusite
Minerals reported to co-occur with emeleusite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₂LiFe³⁺Si₆O₁₅
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 2.76 g/cm³
- Colors
- ColorlessPink white
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals, massive, granular
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A minor constituent of a peralkalic trachyte dike, in flow-banded aegirine-albite-rich layers
Where rockhounds find emeleusite
Classic worldwide localities
- Island of Igdlutalik, Julianehåb district, Greenland
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A minor constituent of a peralkalic trachyte dike, in flow-banded aegirine-albite-rich layers. If you start seeing albite, aegirine, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, granular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify emeleusite?+
Where is emeleusite found?+
What rocks look like emeleusite?+
What minerals are found with emeleusite?+
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What is emeleusite used for?+
Find emeleusite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
