Rosenbuschite is a rare sodium-calcium zirconium silicate typically found as orange to yellow prismatic or acicular crystals. It is most famous for its occurrences in the alkaline igneous complexes of Norway and the Kola Peninsula, often embedded in pegmatite matrices alongside other exotic minerals.
Is this rosenbuschite?
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 rosenbuschite with a known reference. Rosenbuschite 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. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: orange, gray, brownish.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: acicular.
Often confused with
Rosenbuschite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside rosenbuschite
Minerals reported to co-occur with rosenbuschite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Ca,Na)₃(Zr,Ti)Si₂O₈(F,O)
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 3.30-3.315 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {100}, poor on {120}, {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific research
- Host rock
- In some nepheline syenites and related pegmatites
Where rockhounds find rosenbuschite
Classic worldwide localities
- Red Hill, Moultonborough, Carroll Co., New Hampshire, USA
- Lille Arø Island and Skudesundskjaer, near Brevik, Langesundsfjord, and Bratthagen, north of Larvik, Norway
- Norra Kärr complex, near Gränna, Sweden
- Los Islands, Guinea
- Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada
- Lovozero and Khibiny massifs, Kola Peninsula, and at Zaangar'ya, Yenisei Ridge, Siberia, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In some nepheline syenites and related pegmatites. If you start seeing aegirine, natrolite, sodalite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: acicular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify rosenbuschite?+
Where is rosenbuschite found?+
What rocks look like rosenbuschite?+
What minerals are found with rosenbuschite?+
What kind of rock does rosenbuschite form in?+
What is rosenbuschite used for?+
Find rosenbuschite on the map
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