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.
Is this leucophanite?
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 leucophanite with a known reference. Leucophanite sits at Mohs 4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Leucophanite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Leucophanite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: green, yellow, white, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, prismatic, lamellar.
Often confused with
Leucophanite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
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
- 4
- Density
- 2.96-3.00 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Prismatic, Lamellar
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Fluorescence
- Blue or Violet Under UV
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Specimen
- Host rock
- Syenite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on specimen size and clarity
Where rockhounds find leucophanite
Classic worldwide localities
- Langesundsfjord (Norway)
- Kola Peninsula (Russia)
- Mont Saint-Hilaire (Canada)
Field-hunting tip
Look in syenite pegmatites country, the host setting where leucophanite typically forms. If you start seeing aegirine, albite, eudialyte in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, prismatic, lamellar habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify leucophanite?+
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How much is leucophanite worth?+
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Find leucophanite on the map
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