Tausonite is a rare strontium titanate that typically forms sharp, cubic crystals in alkaline igneous environments. Collectors prize it for its high refractive index and crystalline perfection, often found within potassium-rich syenite complexes.
Is this tausonite?
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 tausonite with a known reference. Tausonite sits at Mohs 6-6.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Tausonite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Tausonite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, pale yellow, pale red.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: euhedral crystals, cubes, octahedrons.
Often confused with
Tausonite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside tausonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with tausonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- SrTiO₃
- Mohs hardness
- 6-6.5
- Density
- 5.15 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Euhedral Crystals, Cubes, Octahedrons
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Syenites and Metamorphic Limestones
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on crystal quality
Where rockhounds find tausonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Murun Massif, Russia
- Khibiny Massif, Russia
- Quebec, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline syenites and metamorphic limestones country — that is the host setting where tausonite typically forms. If you start seeing aegirine, potassic-feldspar, nepheline in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a euhedral crystals, cubes, octahedrons habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify tausonite?+
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Find tausonite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
