Thortveitite is a rare scandium-rich silicate mineral primarily found in granitic pegmatites. It typically occurs as elongated, gray-green prisms and is highly prized by mineral collectors as the primary industrial source of scandium.
Is this thortveitite?
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 thortveitite with a known reference. Thortveitite sits at Mohs 6-7 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Thortveitite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Thortveitite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: grayish-green, gray, greenish-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, often elongated and striated.
Often confused with
Thortveitite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside thortveitite
Minerals reported to co-occur with thortveitite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Sc,Y)₂Si₂O₇
- Mohs hardness
- 6-7
- Density
- 3.27-3.43 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Often Elongated and Striated
- Cleavage
- Distinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Source of Scandium
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $100-500 thumbnail, $500+ specimen grade
Where rockhounds find thortveitite
Classic worldwide localities
- Iveland, Norway
- Madagascar
- Hittero, Norway
- Arizona, USA
- New Mexico, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where thortveitite typically forms. If you start seeing microcline, beryl, monazite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, often elongated and striated habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify thortveitite?+
Where is thortveitite found?+
How much is thortveitite worth?+
Is thortveitite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like thortveitite?+
What minerals are found with thortveitite?+
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Find thortveitite on the map
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