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 — that is 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.
