Stronalsite is an extremely rare strontium-dominant feldspar-group mineral found in alkaline rock complexes. It typically appears as small, white to colorless grains or crystals that are structurally related to banalsite, often requiring laboratory verification to distinguish from other feldspars.
Is this stronalsite?
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 stronalsite with a known reference. Stronalsite sits at Mohs 6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Stronalsite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Stronalsite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: equant to prismatic crystals, granular aggregates.
Often confused with
Stronalsite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside stronalsite
Minerals reported to co-occur with stronalsite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- SrNa₂(Al₄Si₄O₁₆)
- Mohs hardness
- 6
- Density
- 2.81 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Equant to Prismatic Crystals, Granular Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {010} and {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Igneous Rocks, Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and provenance
Where rockhounds find stronalsite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kola Peninsula, Russia
- Mont Saint-Hilaire, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline igneous rocks, pegmatites country — that is the host setting where stronalsite typically forms. If you start seeing banalsite, albite, aegirine in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a equant to prismatic crystals, granular aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify stronalsite?+
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How much is stronalsite worth?+
What rocks look like stronalsite?+
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Find stronalsite on the map
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