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 — that is 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.