Poudretteite is an exceptionally rare borosilicate mineral primarily known from the Mont Saint-Hilaire alkaline complex. It is highly sought after by gemstone collectors for its delicate pink coloration and hexagonal crystal structure.
Is this poudretteite?
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 poudretteite with a known reference. Poudretteite sits at Mohs ~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: colorless, light pink.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Poudretteite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside poudretteite
Minerals reported to co-occur with poudretteite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- KNa₂B₃Si₁₂O₃₀
- Mohs hardness
- ~5
- Density
- 2.51 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Gemstone, Collector
- Host rock
- In marble xenoliths within nepheline syenite breccias in an intrusive alkalic gabbro-syenite complex
Where rockhounds find poudretteite
Classic worldwide localities
- Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In marble xenoliths within nepheline syenite breccias in an intrusive alkalic gabbro-syenite complex. If you start seeing pectolite, apophyllite, aegirine in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify poudretteite?+
Where is poudretteite found?+
What rocks look like poudretteite?+
What minerals are found with poudretteite?+
What kind of rock does poudretteite form in?+
What is poudretteite used for?+
Find poudretteite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
