Shortite typically occurs as distinct, wedge-shaped or tabular crystals within evaporite deposits. It is most famous for its occurrence in the Green River Formation of Wyoming, where it is often found embedded in massive trona or oil shale matrices.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Shortite

Hardness: 3
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this shortite?

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 shortite with a known reference. Shortite sits at Mohs 3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Shortite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Shortite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, white, yellow, pale gray.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, wedge-shaped, dipyramidal.

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside shortite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Na₂Ca₂(CO₃)₃
Mohs hardness: 3
Density: 2.59 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless White Yellow Pale Gray
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals, Wedge-shaped, Dipyramidal
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Evaporite Deposits in Saline Lake Beds
Typical price: $20-150 thumbnail specimens

Where rockhounds find shortite

1 mapped spots

Classic worldwide localities

Green River Formation, Wyoming, USA
Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada
Khibiny Massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Look in evaporite deposits in saline lake beds country — that is the host setting where shortite typically forms. If you start seeing trona, nahcolite, gaylussite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, wedge-shaped, dipyramidal habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Utah — start trip planning there.

Browse 1 U.S. spots for shortite →

Common questions

How do you identify shortite?+

Mohs hardness is 3. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, white, yellow, pale gray.

Where is shortite found?+

Notable localities include Green River Formation, Wyoming, USA; Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada; Khibiny Massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia.

Can I find shortite in the United States?+

RockHoundR maps 1 shortite rockhounding spots across 1 U.S. states — the top states are Utah.

How much is shortite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $20-150 thumbnail specimens. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like shortite?+

Shortite is most often confused with Calcite, Dolomite, Nahcolite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with shortite?+

Shortite commonly co-occurs with Trona, Nahcolite, Gaylussite, Northupite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does shortite form in?+

Shortite typically forms in evaporite deposits in saline lake beds. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is shortite used for?+

Shortite is used in collector.

Find shortite on the map

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