Galeite is a rare sodium sulfate-fluoride-chloride mineral primarily found in the alkaline complex of Mont Saint-Hilaire. It is typically identified as small, glassy, tabular crystals often associated with other rare sulfate minerals. Due to its extreme solubility and rarity, it is sought after primarily by advanced mineral collectors.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Galeite

Hardness: 3
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this galeite?

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 galeite with a known reference. Galeite sits at Mohs 3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Galeite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Galeite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, white, yellow.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive.

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside galeite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Na₁₅(SO₄)₅F₄Cl
Mohs hardness: 3
Density: 2.62 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless White Yellow
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals, Massive
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Nepheline Syenite Pegmatites
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find galeite

Classic worldwide localities

Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada

Field-hunting tip

Look in nepheline syenite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where galeite typically forms. If you start seeing schairerite, sulfohalite, villiaumite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify galeite?+

Mohs hardness is 3. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, white, yellow.

Where is galeite found?+

Notable localities include Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada.

How much is galeite worth?+

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

What rocks look like galeite?+

Galeite is most often confused with Schairerite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with galeite?+

Galeite commonly co-occurs with Schairerite, Sulfohalite, Villiaumite, Analcime. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does galeite form in?+

Galeite typically forms in nepheline syenite pegmatites. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is galeite used for?+

Galeite is used in collector.

Find galeite on the map

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