Nabesite is a very rare sodium beryllium silicate mineral found primarily within the hyper-alkaline rocks of the Ilímaussaq complex. It typically occurs as small, transparent tabular crystals that can be difficult to distinguish from other beryllium-bearing zeolites without chemical analysis.
Is this nabesite?
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 nabesite with a known reference. Nabesite sits at Mohs 4-5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Nabesite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Nabesite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Nabesite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside nabesite
Minerals reported to co-occur with nabesite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₂BeSi₄O₁₀·4H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 4-5
- Density
- 2.21 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Agpaitic Nepheline Syenite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find nabesite
Classic worldwide localities
- Ilímaussaq complex, Greenland
Field-hunting tip
Look in agpaitic nepheline syenite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where nabesite typically forms. If you start seeing sodalite, analcime, chkalovite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find nabesite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
