Georgechaoite is an extremely rare silicate mineral found primarily in the nepheline syenite pegmatites of Mont Saint-Hilaire. Collectors typically look for its small, colorless to white tabular crystals often occurring in intimate association with other rare zirconium minerals.
Is this georgechaoite?
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 georgechaoite with a known reference. Georgechaoite 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. Georgechaoite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Georgechaoite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, radiating aggregates.
Often confused with
Georgechaoite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside georgechaoite
Minerals reported to co-occur with georgechaoite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaKZrSi₃O₉·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 2.44 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Radiating Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Distinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Igneous Complexes
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on specimen quality
Where rockhounds find georgechaoite
Classic worldwide localities
- Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline igneous complexes country — that is the host setting where georgechaoite typically forms. If you start seeing eudialyte, leucosphenite, serandite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, radiating aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find georgechaoite on the map
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