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 — that is 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.