Hastingsite is a dark-colored member of the calcic amphibole group often found in alkaline igneous environments. Collectors look for its characteristic prismatic, black-to-brownish crystals, which are visually indistinguishable from other common amphiboles without chemical analysis. It is most frequently encountered in specimens from syenite or nepheline syenite localities.
Is this hastingsite?
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 hastingsite with a known reference. Hastingsite 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. Hastingsite leaves a white to light gray streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Hastingsite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, dark green, dark brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic, massive, granular.
Often confused with
Hastingsite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Hastingsite leaves white to light gray, Hornblende leaves grayish-white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Hastingsite leaves white to light gray, Pargasite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Hastingsite leaves white to light gray, Ferro-edenite leaves white.
Often found alongside hastingsite
Minerals reported to co-occur with hastingsite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaCa₂Fe₄Fe³⁺(Si₆Al₂)O₂₂(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 3.4-3.5 g/cm³
- Streak
- White to Light Gray
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic, Massive, Granular
- Cleavage
- Perfect in Two Directions
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Igneous Rocks, Syenites, Nepheline Syenites
- Typical price
- $10-60 for small mineral specimens
Where rockhounds find hastingsite
Classic worldwide localities
- Hastings County, Ontario, Canada
- Litchfield, Maine, USA
- Kola Peninsula, Russia
- Fen Complex, Norway
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline igneous rocks, syenites, nepheline syenites country — that is the host setting where hastingsite typically forms. If you start seeing nepheline, microcline, aegirine in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic, massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find hastingsite on the map
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