Sørensenite is an extremely rare beryllium-tin silicate mineral primarily found in the Ilimaussaq alkaline complex of Greenland. It typically occurs as white to colorless prismatic or tabular crystals within hydrothermal veins, often associated with minerals like leifite and aegirine.

Hardness

5-5.5

Mohs

Luster

Silky

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Sørensenite

Hardness: 5-5.5
Luster: Silky
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this sørensenite?

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 sørensenite with a known reference. Sørensenite 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. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: silky.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, pinkish, milky white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Analcime

Mohs 5-5.5

How to tell apart: Luster reads silky on Sørensenite and vitreous on Analcime.

Often found alongside sørensenite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Na₄Be₂Sn(Si₃O₉)₂(H₂O)₂
Mohs hardness: 5-5.5
Density: 2.9 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless Pinkish Milky white
Streak: White
Luster: Silky
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Prismatic
Cleavage: {101} and {100}, distinct, (101) ^ (100) = 63°
Fluorescence: Blue white white under LW UV
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: On the floor of miarolitic cavities in hydrothermal veins cutting coarse-grained nepheline syenites

Where rockhounds find sørensenite

Classic worldwide localities

Nakalaq in the Ilimaussaq intrusion complex, Greenland (type locality)

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: On the floor of miarolitic cavities in hydrothermal veins cutting coarse-grained nepheline syenites. If you start seeing analcime, microcline, neptunite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify sørensenite?+

Mohs hardness is 5-5.5. Luster: silky. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, pinkish, milky white.

Where is sørensenite found?+

Notable localities include Nakalaq in the Ilimaussaq intrusion complex, Greenland (type locality).

Is sørensenite safe to handle?+

Sørensenite contains beryllium. Wash your hands afterwards, never grind or breathe the dust, and store it apart from specimens you handle often.

What rocks look like sørensenite?+

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

What minerals are found with sørensenite?+

Sørensenite commonly co-occurs with Analcime, Microcline, Neptunite, Sodalite, Aegirine, Arfvedsonite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does sørensenite form in?+

Where it forms: On the floor of miarolitic cavities in hydrothermal veins cutting coarse-grained nepheline syenites. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is sørensenite used for?+

Sørensenite is used in collector.

Find sørensenite on the map

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