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 — that is 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
How do you identify natrite?+
Where is natrite found?+
How much is natrite worth?+
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.
