Hauyne is a rare and highly sought-after silicate mineral known for its intense, vivid blue color that rivals sapphire. It typically occurs as small, sharp dodecahedral crystals in alkaline volcanic rocks and is prized by gem collectors for its brilliance and rarity.

Hardness

5.5-6

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrareSodalite Group family

Hauyne

Hardness: 5.5-6
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this hauyne?

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 hauyne with a known reference. Hauyne sits at Mohs 5.5-6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Hauyne leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Hauyne typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: blue, greenish-blue, yellow, white, colorless.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: isometric. Typical habit: dodecahedral crystals, granular, massive.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Lazurite

Mohs 5-5.5

How to tell apart: Streak differs — Hauyne leaves white, Lazurite leaves light blue.

Often found alongside hauyne

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

All properties

Chemical formula: (Na,Ca)₄₋₈(Al₆Si₆O₂₄)(SO₄,S)₁₋₂
Mohs hardness: 5.5-6
Density: 2.4-2.5 g/cm³
Colors: Blue Greenish-blue Yellow White Colorless
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Isometric
Crystal habit: Dodecahedral Crystals, Granular, Massive
Cleavage: Distinct On {110}
Fluorescence: Orange-red to Pink Under LW UV
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector, Gemstone
Host rock: Alkaline Igneous Rocks, Phonolites, And Ejecta From Volcanic Vents
Typical price: $50-500 per carat for gem-quality faceted stones

Where rockhounds find hauyne

Classic worldwide localities

Eifel Mountains, Germany
Monte Somma, Italy
Kola Peninsula, Russia
Sar-e-Sang, Afghanistan

Field-hunting tip

Look in alkaline igneous rocks, phonolites, and ejecta from volcanic vents country — that is the host setting where hauyne typically forms. If you start seeing nepheline, sanidine, leucite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a dodecahedral crystals, granular, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify hauyne?+

Mohs hardness is 5.5-6. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include blue, greenish-blue, yellow, white.

Where is hauyne found?+

Notable localities include Eifel Mountains, Germany; Monte Somma, Italy; Kola Peninsula, Russia; Sar-e-Sang, Afghanistan.

How much is hauyne worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-500 per carat for gem-quality faceted stones. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like hauyne?+

Hauyne is most often confused with Lazurite, Sodalite, Nosean. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with hauyne?+

Hauyne commonly co-occurs with Nepheline, Sanidine, Leucite, Augite, Phlogopite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does hauyne form in?+

Hauyne typically forms in alkaline igneous rocks, phonolites, and ejecta from volcanic vents. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is hauyne used for?+

Hauyne is used in collector, gemstone.

Find hauyne on the map

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