Fivegite is a rare beryllium-bearing silicate mineral discovered within the hyper-alkaline Ilimaussaq complex of Greenland. It is structurally related to tugtupite and is typically found as small, inconspicuous grains within rare-earth-rich pegmatitic rocks. Collectors prize it primarily for its mineralogical rarity rather than its aesthetic display qualities.
Is this fivegite?
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 fivegite with a known reference. Fivegite sits at Mohs 4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Fivegite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Fivegite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: massive to granular.
Often confused with
Fivegite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside fivegite
Minerals reported to co-occur with fivegite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₄BeAlSi₄O₁₂Cl
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 2.36 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Massive to Granular
- Cleavage
- Distinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Agpaitic Nepheline Syenite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find fivegite
Classic worldwide localities
- Ilimaussaq Complex, Greenland
Field-hunting tip
Look in agpaitic nepheline syenite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where fivegite typically forms. If you start seeing tugtupite, steenstrupine-(ce), eudialyte in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive to granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify fivegite?+
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Find fivegite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
