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.
Is this sørensenite?
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 sørensenite with a known reference. Sørensenite sits at Mohs 5.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Sørensenite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Sørensenite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, pink, yellowish.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic to tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Sørensenite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
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
- Na₄SnBe₂Si₆O₁₈(OH)₄
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5
- Density
- 2.90 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic to Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {100}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Nepheline Syenite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find sørensenite
Classic worldwide localities
- Ilimaussaq complex, Greenland
Field-hunting tip
Look in nepheline syenite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where sørensenite typically forms. If you start seeing leifite, analcime, aegirine in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic to tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify sørensenite?+
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What rocks look like sørensenite?+
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Find sørensenite on the map
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