Nastrophite is a rare hydrated sodium strontium phosphate mineral typically found in complex alkaline pegmatites. Collectors generally find it as small, clear to white equant crystals, often associated with other rare-earth minerals in the Kola Peninsula.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Nastrophite

Hardness: 3
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this nastrophite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch nastrophite with a known reference. Nastrophite sits at Mohs 3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Nastrophite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Nastrophite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, colorless.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: cubic. Typical habit: equant crystals, massive.

Often confused with

Nastrophite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

Often found alongside nastrophite

Minerals reported to co-occur with nastrophite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: NaSrPO₄·9H₂O
Mohs hardness: 3
Density: 2.95 g/cm³
Colors: White Colorless
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Cubic
Crystal habit: Equant Crystals, Massive
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Alkaline Pegmatites
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find nastrophite

Classic worldwide localities

Kola Peninsula, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Look in alkaline pegmatites country — that is the host setting where nastrophite typically forms. If you start seeing apatite, nepheline, natrolite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a equant crystals, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify nastrophite?+

Mohs hardness is 3. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include white, colorless.

Where is nastrophite found?+

Notable localities include Kola Peninsula, Russia.

How much is nastrophite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like nastrophite?+

Nastrophite is most often confused with Trona, Nahcolite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with nastrophite?+

Nastrophite commonly co-occurs with Apatite, Nepheline, Natrolite, Microcline. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does nastrophite form in?+

Nastrophite typically forms in alkaline pegmatites. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is nastrophite used for?+

Nastrophite is used in collector.

Find nastrophite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.