Paranatrolite is a rare zeolite mineral that frequently occurs as a pseudomorph resulting from the hydration of natrolite. It is typically found in alkaline pegmatites and is best identified through X-ray diffraction or chemical analysis due to its visual similarity to other natrolite-group minerals.
Is this paranatrolite?
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 paranatrolite with a known reference. Paranatrolite sits at Mohs 5-5.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, pink.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: epitaxial.
Often confused with
Paranatrolite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside paranatrolite
Minerals reported to co-occur with paranatrolite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₂Al₂Si₃O₁₀·3H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 5-5.5
- Density
- 2.21-2.29 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Epitaxial
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In miarolitic cavities and pegmatitic dikes within nepheline syenite in an intrusive alkalic gabbro-syenite complex (Mont Saint-Hilaire, Canada)
Where rockhounds find paranatrolite
Classic worldwide localities
- Mont Saint-Hilaire and from near Saint-Amable, Québec, Canada
- Schellkopf, near Brenk, Eifel district, Germany
- Island Magee, Co. Antrim, Ireland
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In miarolitic cavities and pegmatitic dikes within nepheline syenite in an intrusive alkalic gabbro-syenite complex (Mont Saint-Hilaire, Canada). If you start seeing natrolite, tetranatrolite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: epitaxial. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify paranatrolite?+
Where is paranatrolite found?+
What rocks look like paranatrolite?+
What minerals are found with paranatrolite?+
What kind of rock does paranatrolite form in?+
What is paranatrolite used for?+
Find paranatrolite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
