Katayamalite is a very rare silicate mineral typically found in nepheline syenites and alkaline igneous complexes. It usually presents as small, pale pink or colorless tabular crystals associated with rare-earth or titanium-bearing minerals.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrareMilarite Group family

Katayamalite

Hardness: 5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

Is this katayamalite?

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 katayamalite with a known reference. Katayamalite sits at Mohs 5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Katayamalite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Katayamalite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: pink, white, colorless.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, granular.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Beryl

Mohs 7.5-8

How to tell apart: Beryl is the harder of the two (Mohs 7.5-8 vs. 5).

Often found alongside katayamalite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: KLi₃Ca₇(Ti,Fe,Zr)₂(Si₁₂O₃₀)(OH)₂
Mohs hardness: 5
Density: 2.84 g/cm³
Colors: Pink White Colorless
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Hexagonal
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals, Massive, Granular
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Alkaline Igneous Rocks
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find katayamalite

Classic worldwide localities

Iwagi Island, Japan
Mont Saint-Hilaire, Canada

Field-hunting tip

Look in alkaline igneous rocks country, the host setting where katayamalite typically forms. If you start seeing aegirine, microcline, nepheline in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify katayamalite?+

Mohs hardness is 5. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include pink, white, colorless.

Where is katayamalite found?+

Notable localities include Iwagi Island, Japan; Mont Saint-Hilaire, Canada.

How much is katayamalite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like katayamalite?+

Katayamalite is most often confused with Beryl, Milarite, Ekanite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with katayamalite?+

Katayamalite commonly co-occurs with Aegirine, Microcline, Nepheline, Analcime. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does katayamalite form in?+

Katayamalite typically forms in alkaline igneous rocks. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is katayamalite used for?+

Katayamalite is used in collector.

Find katayamalite on the map

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