Leucophanite is a rare beryllium silicate mineral most often found as transparent to translucent tabular, greenish-yellow crystals. It is highly prized by collectors for its strong luminescence under ultraviolet light and its distinctive lamellar structure. It is most famously recovered from the rare-alkaline pegmatites of the Langesundsfjord district in Norway.

Hardness

3.5-4

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Semitransparent

mineralrare

Leucophanite

Hardness: 3.5-4
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Semitransparent

Is this leucophanite?

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 leucophanite with a known reference. Leucophanite sits at Mohs 3.5-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, greenish yellow, yellow, light green.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Meliphanite

Mohs 5-5.5

How to tell apart: Meliphanite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-5.5 vs. 3.5-4).

How to tell apart: Leucophanite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 1); luster reads vitreous on Leucophanite and silky on Beryllite.

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Often found alongside leucophanite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: NaCaBeSi₂O₆F
Mohs hardness: 3.5-4
Density: 2.96 g/cm³
Colors: White Greenish yellow Yellow Light green
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Semitransparent
Crystal system: Triclinic
Crystal habit: Tabular
Cleavage: {001}, perfect; {100}, {010}, and {201}, distinct
Fluorescence: Pink under SW and LW UV
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector, Specimen
Host rock: In pegmatites in augite syenite (Langesundsfjord, Norway); in albitization zones in pegmatites at the contact of alkalic massifs intruding Proterozoic carbonaceous quartz-sericite schists (Baikal massif, Russia)

Where rockhounds find leucophanite

Classic worldwide localities

Låven, Arø, Stokkø, Norway
Morje, Telemark, Norway
Vevja and Saga quarries, Tvedalen, Norway
Lovozero massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
Baikal massif, eastern Siberia, Russia
Narssârssuk, Greenland

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In pegmatites in augite syenite (Langesundsfjord, Norway); in albitization zones in pegmatites at the contact of alkalic massifs intruding Proterozoic carbonaceous quartz-sericite schists (Baikal massif, Russia). If you start seeing albite, orthoclase, natrolite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify leucophanite?+

Mohs hardness is 3.5-4. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include white, greenish yellow, yellow, light green.

Where is leucophanite found?+

Notable localities include Låven, Arø, Stokkø, Norway; Morje, Telemark, Norway; Vevja and Saga quarries, Tvedalen, Norway; Lovozero massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia; Baikal massif, eastern Siberia, Russia.

Is leucophanite safe to handle?+

Leucophanite contains beryllium. Contains beryllium, which is toxic if inhaled as dust or ingested. Handle with care and avoid generating dust when trimming.

What rocks look like leucophanite?+

Leucophanite is most often confused with Meliphanite, Beryllite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with leucophanite?+

Leucophanite commonly co-occurs with Albite, Orthoclase, Natrolite, Analcime, Sérandite, Aegirine. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does leucophanite form in?+

Where it forms: In pegmatites in augite syenite (Langesundsfjord, Norway); in albitization zones in pegmatites at the contact of alkalic massifs intruding Proterozoic carbonaceous quartz-sericite schists (Baikal massif, Russia). Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is leucophanite used for?+

Leucophanite is used in collector, specimen.

Find leucophanite on the map

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