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, 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.