Natisite is a rare sodium titanium silicate found primarily in the hyper-alkaline pegmatites of the Kola Peninsula. It typically occurs as small tabular yellow crystals within complex mineral assemblages of nepheline syenites.

Hardness

3-4

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous to adamantine

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent to translucent

mineralrare

Natisite

Hardness: 3-4
Luster: Vitreous to adamantine
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent to translucent

Is this natisite?

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 natisite with a known reference. Natisite sits at Mohs 3-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous to adamantine.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: greenish gray, yellow green.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Kupletskite

Mohs 3-4

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Natisite leaves white, Kupletskite leaves brown.

How to tell apart: Eudialyte is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-6 vs. 3-4).

Compare →

Often found alongside natisite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Na₂TiSiO₅
Mohs hardness: 3-4
Density: 3.15 g/cm³
Colors: Greenish gray Yellow green
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous to adamantine
Transparency: Transparent to translucent
Crystal system: Tetragonal
Crystal habit: Tabular crystals
Cleavage: Perfect on {001}, distinct on {100}
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In natrolite-ussingite veins cutting alkalic rocks in a differentiated alkalic massif

Where rockhounds find natisite

Classic worldwide localities

Mt. Karnasurt, Lovozero massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In natrolite-ussingite veins cutting alkalic rocks in a differentiated alkalic massif. If you start seeing chkalovite, aegirine, vuonnemite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify natisite?+

Mohs hardness is 3-4. Luster: vitreous to adamantine. The streak is white. Common colors include greenish gray, yellow green.

Where is natisite found?+

Notable localities include Mt. Karnasurt, Lovozero massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia.

What rocks look like natisite?+

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

What minerals are found with natisite?+

Natisite commonly co-occurs with Chkalovite, Aegirine, Vuonnemite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does natisite form in?+

Where it forms: In natrolite-ussingite veins cutting alkalic rocks in a differentiated alkalic massif. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is natisite used for?+

Natisite is used in collector.

Find natisite on the map

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