Fluorcanasite is a rare potassium-sodium-calcium silicate mineral primarily found in alkaline pegmatites. It is best known to collectors for its intense, bright yellow fluorescence under short-wave ultraviolet light, which makes it a highly prized display specimen.

Hardness

5-6

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrareCanasite Group family

Fluorcanasite

Hardness: 5-6
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

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Is this fluorcanasite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch fluorcanasite with a known reference. Fluorcanasite sits at Mohs 5-6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Fluorcanasite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Fluorcanasite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, white, pinkish, gray.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic to acicular crystals, fibrous aggregates.

Often confused with

Fluorcanasite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

Often found alongside fluorcanasite

Minerals reported to co-occur with fluorcanasite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: K₃Na₄Ca₂Si₁₂O₃₀F₄
Mohs hardness: 5-6
Density: 2.47 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless White Pinkish Gray
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Prismatic to Acicular Crystals, Fibrous Aggregates
Cleavage: Perfect in One Direction
Fluorescence: Bright Yellow Under SW UV
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector, Scientific Research
Host rock: Agpaitic Pegmatites and Alkaline Igneous Complexes
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen depending on size and quality

Where rockhounds find fluorcanasite

Classic worldwide localities

Kola Peninsula, Russia
Khibiny Massif, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Look in agpaitic pegmatites and alkaline igneous complexes country, the host setting where fluorcanasite typically forms. If you start seeing aegirine, nepheline, eudialyte in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic to acicular crystals, fibrous aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify fluorcanasite?+

Mohs hardness is 5-6. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, white, pinkish, gray.

Where is fluorcanasite found?+

Notable localities include Kola Peninsula, Russia; Khibiny Massif, Russia.

How much is fluorcanasite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen depending on size and quality. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like fluorcanasite?+

Fluorcanasite is most often confused with Canasite, Tokkoite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with fluorcanasite?+

Fluorcanasite commonly co-occurs with Aegirine, Nepheline, Eudialyte, Microcline. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does fluorcanasite form in?+

Fluorcanasite typically forms in agpaitic pegmatites and alkaline igneous complexes. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is fluorcanasite used for?+

Fluorcanasite is used in collector, scientific research.

Find fluorcanasite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.