Neighborite is a rare sodium magnesium fluoride mineral typically found in evaporite deposits associated with alkaline rocks. It most commonly occurs as small, colorless to brownish pseudocubic crystals embedded within oil shale formations.
Is this neighborite?
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 neighborite with a known reference. Neighborite 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. Neighborite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Neighborite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, tan, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: pseudocubic crystals, massive, granular.
Often confused with
Neighborite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside neighborite
Minerals reported to co-occur with neighborite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaMgF₃
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 2.95 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Pseudocubic Crystals, Massive, Granular
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Evaporitic Beds in Oil Shales
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find neighborite
Classic worldwide localities
- Green River Formation, USA
- Mont Saint-Hilaire, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in evaporitic beds in oil shales country — that is the host setting where neighborite typically forms. If you start seeing analcime, shortite, trona in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a pseudocubic crystals, massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find neighborite on the map
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