Nosean is a member of the sodalite group often found in undersaturated volcanic rocks like phonolites and tephrites. It typically occurs as dodecahedral crystals and is highly prized by collectors for its strong orange fluorescence under ultraviolet light.

Hardness

5-5.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineraluncommonSodalite Group family

Nosean

Hardness: 5-5.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

Is this nosean?

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 nosean with a known reference. Nosean sits at Mohs 5-5.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Nosean leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Nosean typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: gray, blue, white, brown, yellow.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: cubic. Typical habit: dodecahedral crystals, granular, massive.

Often confused with

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

How to tell apart: Streak differs — Nosean leaves white, Lazurite leaves light blue.

Compare →

Often found alongside nosean

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Na₈Al₆Si₆O₂₄(SO₄)
Mohs hardness: 5-5.5
Density: 2.25-2.4 g/cm³
Colors: Gray Blue White Brown Yellow
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Cubic
Crystal habit: Dodecahedral Crystals, Granular, Massive
Cleavage: Distinct On {110}
Fluorescence: Often Orange to Pink Under LW UV
Rarity: Uncommon
Uses: Collector, Scientific Research
Host rock: Alkaline Igneous Rocks
Typical price: $20-150 thumbnail

Where rockhounds find nosean

Classic worldwide localities

Eifel region, Germany
Mont Saint-Hilaire, Canada
Lake County, Colorado, USA

Field-hunting tip

Look in alkaline igneous rocks country — that is the host setting where nosean typically forms. If you start seeing sanidine, nepheline, leucite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a dodecahedral crystals, granular, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify nosean?+

Mohs hardness is 5-5.5. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include gray, blue, white, brown.

Where is nosean found?+

Notable localities include Eifel region, Germany; Mont Saint-Hilaire, Canada; Lake County, Colorado, USA.

How much is nosean worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $20-150 thumbnail. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like nosean?+

Nosean is most often confused with Sodalite, Hauyne, Lazurite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with nosean?+

Nosean commonly co-occurs with Sanidine, Nepheline, Leucite, Augite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does nosean form in?+

Nosean typically forms in alkaline igneous rocks. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is nosean used for?+

Nosean is used in collector, scientific research.

Find nosean on the map

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