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 — 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 — that is 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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