Nacaphite is a rare phosphate mineral primarily found in hyper-alkaline igneous complexes. It usually occurs as colorless or pale yellow grains and tabular crystals embedded within nepheline-rich environments.
Is this nacaphite?
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 nacaphite with a known reference. Nacaphite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Nacaphite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Nacaphite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, granular.
Often confused with
Nacaphite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside nacaphite
Minerals reported to co-occur with nacaphite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₂CaPO₄F
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 2.81 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Massive, Granular
- Cleavage
- Good On {0001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Igneous Rocks
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find nacaphite
Classic worldwide localities
- Khibiny Massif, Russia
- Lovozero Massif, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline igneous rocks country — that is the host setting where nacaphite typically forms. If you start seeing villiaumite, apatite, nepheline in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find nacaphite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
