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.
Is this normandite?
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 normandite with a known reference. Normandite sits at Mohs 5-6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Normandite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Normandite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brown, reddish-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic to tabular crystals.
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
- NaCa(Mn,Fe)(Ti,Zr,Nb)Si₂O₇(O,OH,F)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 3.46 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic to Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {100}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Nepheline Syenite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and quality
Where rockhounds find normandite
Classic worldwide localities
- Mont Saint-Hilaire, Canada
- Khibiny Massif, Russia
- Lovozero Massif, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in nepheline syenite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where normandite typically forms. If you start seeing aegirine, microcline, nepheline in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic to tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find normandite on the map
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