Simmonsite is an extremely rare fluoride mineral typically found as small, colorless to pale yellow granular masses within alkaline pegmatite environments. It is chemically distinct for its sodium-lithium-aluminum composition and is primarily prized by advanced mineral collectors for its scarcity and unique locality origins.
Is this simmonsite?
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 simmonsite with a known reference. Simmonsite sits at Mohs 3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Simmonsite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Simmonsite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: granular to massive.
Often confused with
Simmonsite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside simmonsite
Minerals reported to co-occur with simmonsite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₂LiAlF₆
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 3.16 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Granular to Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size
Where rockhounds find simmonsite
Classic worldwide localities
- Zagi Mountain, Pakistan
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline pegmatites country, the host setting where simmonsite typically forms. If you start seeing aegirine, albite, arfvedsonite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a granular to massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify simmonsite?+
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Find simmonsite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
