Normandite is a rare silicate mineral belonging to the Wöhlerite group, typically found in alkaline igneous rocks like nepheline syenites. It appears as small, prismatic, yellowish-brown crystals often associated with complex suite of rare-earth and alkali minerals in pegmatite cavities.

Hardness

5-6

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous to adamantine

Streak

Pale yellowish white

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrareWöhlerite Group family

Normandite

Hardness: 5-6
Luster: Vitreous to adamantine
Streak: Pale yellowish white
Transparency: Transparent

Is this normandite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch normandite with a known reference. Normandite sits at Mohs 5-6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: pale yellowish white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous to adamantine.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: yellow, orange brown, orange.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: acicular, euhedral crystals, prismatic.

Often confused with

Normandite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

Often found alongside normandite

Minerals reported to co-occur with normandite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Na₂Ca₂(Mn,Fe)₂(Ti,Nb,Zr)₂(Si₂O₇)₂O₂F₂
Mohs hardness: 5-6
Density: 3.48-3.5 g/cm³
Colors: Yellow Orange brown Orange
Streak: Pale yellowish white
Luster: Vitreous to adamantine
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Acicular, euhedral crystals, prismatic
Cleavage: Distinct on {100}; distinct on {001}
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In miarolitic cavities in nepheline syenite

Where rockhounds find normandite

Classic worldwide localities

The Prudrette Quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire, Rouville County, Quebec, Canada (type locality)

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In miarolitic cavities in nepheline syenite. If you start seeing aegirine, microcline, nepheline in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: acicular, euhedral crystals, prismatic. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify normandite?+

Mohs hardness is 5-6. Luster: vitreous to adamantine. The streak is pale yellowish white. Common colors include yellow, orange brown, orange.

Where is normandite found?+

Notable localities include The Prudrette Quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire, Rouville County, Quebec, Canada (type locality).

What rocks look like normandite?+

Normandite is most often confused with Wöhlerite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with normandite?+

Normandite commonly co-occurs with Aegirine, Microcline, Nepheline, Eudialyte, Serandite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does normandite form in?+

Where it forms: In miarolitic cavities in nepheline syenite. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is normandite used for?+

Normandite is used in collector.

Find normandite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.