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

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrare

Natisite

Hardness: 4
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: 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 4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Natisite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Natisite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish-orange.
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; luster reads vitreous on Natisite and submetallic on Kupletskite.

How to tell apart: Eudialyte is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-6 vs. 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: 4
Density: 3.31 g/cm³
Colors: Yellow Yellowish-orange
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Tetragonal
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals
Cleavage: Poor
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Alkaline Igneous Rocks
Typical price: $50-200 for micro specimens

Where rockhounds find natisite

Classic worldwide localities

Khibiny Massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
Lovozero Massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Look in alkaline igneous rocks country, the host setting where natisite typically forms. If you start seeing aegirine, nepheline, microcline in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify natisite?+

Mohs hardness is 4. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include yellow, yellowish-orange.

Where is natisite found?+

Notable localities include Khibiny Massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia; Lovozero Massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia.

How much is natisite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-200 for micro specimens. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

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 Aegirine, Nepheline, Microcline, Lomonosovite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does natisite form in?+

Natisite typically forms in alkaline igneous rocks. 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.