Oftedalite is a rare scandium-bearing silicate mineral belonging to the sugilite group. It is primarily found as small, colorless to white prismatic crystals in the alkaline rocks of the Poudrette Quarry in Canada.

Hardness

4-5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrareSugilite Group family

Oftedalite

Hardness: 4-5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

No image

Is this oftedalite?

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 oftedalite with a known reference. Oftedalite sits at Mohs 4-5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Oftedalite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Oftedalite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, colorless, pinkish-white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Sugilite

Mohs 6-6.5

How to tell apart: Sugilite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6-6.5 vs. 4-5).

Often found alongside oftedalite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Sc₃Ca₄(Si₁₂O₃₀)(OH)₃·H₂O
Mohs hardness: 4-5
Density: 2.83 g/cm³
Colors: White Colorless Pinkish-white
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Prismatic Crystals
Cleavage: Good
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Alkaline Igneous Intrusions
Typical price: $100-500 per specimen

Where rockhounds find oftedalite

Classic worldwide localities

Poudrette Quarry, Quebec, Canada

Field-hunting tip

Look in alkaline igneous intrusions country — that is the host setting where oftedalite typically forms. If you start seeing pectolite, aegirine, serandite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify oftedalite?+

Mohs hardness is 4-5. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include white, colorless, pinkish-white.

Where is oftedalite found?+

Notable localities include Poudrette Quarry, Quebec, Canada.

How much is oftedalite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $100-500 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like oftedalite?+

Oftedalite is most often confused with Sugilite, Ekanite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with oftedalite?+

Oftedalite commonly co-occurs with pectolite, aegirine, serandite, microcline. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does oftedalite form in?+

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

What is oftedalite used for?+

Oftedalite is used in collector.

Find oftedalite on the map

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