Stenonite is an extremely rare strontium aluminum carbonate fluoride found primarily in the cryolite deposit of Ivigtut, Greenland. It typically occurs as white or colorless prismatic crystals associated with other rare fluoride minerals in late-stage hydrothermal veins.
Is this stenonite?
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 stenonite with a known reference. Stenonite 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. Stenonite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Stenonite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, massive.
Often confused with
Stenonite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside stenonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with stenonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Sr₂Al(CO₃)F₅
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 3.37 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Massive
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {110}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Cryolite-bearing Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $100-500 thumbnail
Where rockhounds find stenonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Ivigtut, Greenland
Field-hunting tip
Look in cryolite-bearing pegmatites country — that is the host setting where stenonite typically forms. If you start seeing cryolite, siderite, galena in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find stenonite on the map
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