Lamprophyllite is a striking silicate mineral typically found as bladed or acicular crystals with a bright, vitreous luster. It is highly sought after by collectors for its beautiful radiating sprays which often contrast sharply against dark igneous matrix rocks like nepheline syenite.
Is this lamprophyllite?
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 lamprophyllite with a known reference. Lamprophyllite sits at Mohs 2-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Lamprophyllite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Lamprophyllite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown, golden-brown, yellow-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: bladed crystals, acicular, tabular, radiating sprays.
Often confused with
Lamprophyllite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Lamprophyllite leaves white, Astrophyllite leaves golden-brown; luster reads vitreous on Lamprophyllite and submetallic on Astrophyllite.
How to tell apart: Eudialyte is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-6 vs. 2-3).
Often found alongside lamprophyllite
Minerals reported to co-occur with lamprophyllite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₃Sr₂Ti₃Si₄O₁₄(OH,F)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 3.4-3.5 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Bladed Crystals, Acicular, Tabular, Radiating Sprays
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Alkaline Igneous Rocks, Nepheline Syenites, Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $20-200 depending on crystal size and matrix quality
Where rockhounds find lamprophyllite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kola Peninsula, Russia
- Mont Saint-Hilaire, Canada
- Norra Kärr, Sweden
- Langesundsfjord, Norway
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline igneous rocks, nepheline syenites, pegmatites country, the host setting where lamprophyllite typically forms. If you start seeing nepheline, aegirine, microcline in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a bladed crystals, acicular, tabular, radiating sprays habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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What rocks look like lamprophyllite?+
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Find lamprophyllite on the map
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