Niocalite is a rare calcium niobium silicate mineral primarily found in carbonatite complexes. Collectors should look for its distinctive yellow-to-amber prismatic crystals and its characteristically strong bright yellow fluorescence under shortwave ultraviolet light.
Is this niocalite?
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 niocalite with a known reference. Niocalite sits at Mohs 6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Niocalite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Niocalite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellow-orange, amber, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic, acicular, radiating aggregates.
Often confused with
Niocalite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside niocalite
Minerals reported to co-occur with niocalite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₁₄Nb₄Si₈O₃₇F₄
- Mohs hardness
- 6
- Density
- 3.31 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic, Acicular, Radiating Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Poor
- Fluorescence
- Bright Yellow Under SW UV
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Carbonatites
- Typical price
- $20-150 thumbnail, $200+ cabinet
Where rockhounds find niocalite
Classic worldwide localities
- Oka Complex, Quebec, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in carbonatites country, the host setting where niocalite typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, apatite, diopside in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic, acicular, radiating aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find niocalite on the map
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