Hochelagaite is a rare niobate mineral that typically forms as delicate, white platy crystals. It is primarily known from the Poudrette quarry and other sites within the Mont Saint-Hilaire alkaline complex in Quebec. Due to its scarcity and fragile habit, it is highly sought after by systematic mineral collectors.
Is this hochelagaite?
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 hochelagaite with a known reference. Hochelagaite sits at Mohs 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Hochelagaite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Hochelagaite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals.
Often confused with
Hochelagaite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside hochelagaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with hochelagaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Ca,Na,Sr)₂(Nb,Ti,Si)₄O₁₁·8H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 2.35 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Igneous Complexes
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find hochelagaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline igneous complexes country, the host setting where hochelagaite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, calcite, dawsonite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find hochelagaite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
