Götzenite is a complex calcium titanium silicate found in rare alkaline intrusive rocks. Collectors typically seek it in the form of small, acicular or prismatic crystals associated with other rare-earth minerals in nepheline syenites.
Is this götzenite?
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 götzenite with a known reference. Götzenite sits at Mohs 5-6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Götzenite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Götzenite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, colorless, white, brownish.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Götzenite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside götzenite
Minerals reported to co-occur with götzenite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaCa₆Ti(Si₂O₇)₂F₃
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 3.37 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {100}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Igneous Rocks, Nepheline Syenites
- Typical price
- $20-150 per specimen
Where rockhounds find götzenite
Classic worldwide localities
- Mount St. Hilaire (Canada)
- Gardar Province (Greenland)
- Khibiny Massif (Russia)
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline igneous rocks, nepheline syenites country, the host setting where götzenite typically forms. If you start seeing nepheline, aegirine, microcline in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify götzenite?+
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How much is götzenite worth?+
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Find götzenite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
