Narsarsukite is a rare sodium titanium silicate mineral typically found in alkaline igneous environments. It is best identified by its distinct yellow-to-brown tabular or prismatic tetragonal crystals, often occurring in pegmatite pockets.
Is this narsarsukite?
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 narsarsukite with a known reference. Narsarsukite sits at Mohs 7, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Narsarsukite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Narsarsukite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellow-brown, brown, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: prismatic, tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Narsarsukite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Narsarsukite is noticeably harder (Mohs 7 vs. 6); streak differs, so Narsarsukite leaves white, Aegirine leaves yellowish-grey.
How to tell apart: Narsarsukite is noticeably harder (Mohs 7 vs. 5.5-6); luster reads vitreous on Narsarsukite and vitreous to greasy on Nepheline.
Often found alongside narsarsukite
Minerals reported to co-occur with narsarsukite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₂TiSi₄O₁₁
- Mohs hardness
- 7
- Density
- 2.7-2.8 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic, Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Distinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Igneous Rocks
- Typical price
- $20-200 per specimen
Where rockhounds find narsarsukite
Classic worldwide localities
- Narsarsuk, Greenland
- Mont Saint-Hilaire, Canada
- Sweetgrass Hills, USA
- Khibiny Massif, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline igneous rocks country, the host setting where narsarsukite typically forms. If you start seeing aegirine, microcline, albite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic, tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find narsarsukite on the map
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