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 — 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 — that is 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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Find lamprophyllite on the map
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