Leifite is a rare beryllium-bearing silicate mineral typically found in alkaline igneous environments. It is most recognized for its beautiful radiating sprays of acicular, prismatic crystals that are often perched on contrasting dark minerals like aegirine.
Is this leifite?
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 leifite with a known reference. Leifite sits at Mohs 6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Leifite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Leifite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, pale blue, pale green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, radial aggregates, acicular.
Often confused with
Leifite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Leifite is noticeably harder (Mohs 6 vs. 4.5-5).
How to tell apart: Leifite is noticeably harder (Mohs 6 vs. 4.5-5); luster reads vitreous on Leifite and vitreous to silky on Pectolite.
Often found alongside leifite
Minerals reported to co-occur with leifite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₆(Si₁₆Al₂Be₂O₃₈)(F,OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 6
- Density
- 2.57 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Radial Aggregates, Acicular
- Cleavage
- Distinct
- Fluorescence
- White to Light Blue Under SW UV
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Igneous Pegmatites and Syenite Intrusions
- Typical price
- $20-200 per specimen
Where rockhounds find leifite
Classic worldwide localities
- Narssârssuk, Greenland
- Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada
- Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline igneous pegmatites and syenite intrusions country — that is the host setting where leifite typically forms. If you start seeing analcime, aegirine, microcline in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, radial aggregates, acicular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find leifite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
