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, 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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