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 1-1.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Natrite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Natrite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, gray, yellowish.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: granular, massive, or as efflorescences.
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
- 1-1.5
- Density
- 2.25 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Granular, Massive, Or as Efflorescences
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Alkaline Igneous Rocks, Evaporite Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-150 for small specimens
Where rockhounds find natrite
Classic worldwide localities
- Khibiny Massif (Russia)
- Mont Saint-Hilaire (Canada)
- Green River Formation (USA)
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline igneous rocks, evaporite deposits country, the host setting where natrite typically forms. If you start seeing thermonatrite, nahcolite, trona in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a granular, massive, or as efflorescences habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find natrite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
