Natrite is a rare anhydrous sodium carbonate that is highly hygroscopic, often altering to thermonatrite upon exposure to moisture in the air. It is typically found as a secondary mineral in alkaline igneous complexes or saline lake deposits. Collectors must store it in sealed containers or anhydrous environments to prevent rapid degradation.
Is this natrite?
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 natrite with a known reference. Natrite sits at Mohs 3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous to dull on exposure.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, yellow orange, white, pink.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: massive, pseudo hexagonal.
Often confused with
Natrite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside natrite
Minerals reported to co-occur with natrite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₂CO₃
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 2.54 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull on exposure
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, pseudo hexagonal
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {001}, good on {100}, {110}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific research
- Host rock
- Locally abundant in deep drillholes in pegmatites occurring in differentiated alkaline massifs (Kola Peninsula, Russia)
Where rockhounds find natrite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kola Peninsula, on Mt. Karnasurt, Lovozero massif, Russia
- Khibiny massif, on Mt. Rasvumchorr, Russia
- Olenii stream, Russia
- Mt. Koashva, Russia
- Mt. Restin’yun, Russia
- Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Locally abundant in deep drillholes in pegmatites occurring in differentiated alkaline massifs (Kola Peninsula, Russia). If you start seeing thermonatrite, vinogradovite, shortite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: massive, pseudo hexagonal. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify natrite?+
Where is natrite found?+
What rocks look like natrite?+
What minerals are found with natrite?+
What kind of rock does natrite form in?+
What is natrite used for?+
Find natrite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
