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 — that is 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.
