Wadeite is a rare zirconium silicate mineral primarily found in silica-undersaturated alkaline rocks. It is highly prized by collectors for its distinct hexagonal crystal habit and its characteristic bright blue fluorescence under short-wave ultraviolet light.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Wadeite

Hardness: 6
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this wadeite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch wadeite with a known reference. Wadeite sits at Mohs 6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Wadeite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Wadeite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, white, pale pink, pale blue.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: prismatic or tabular crystals.

Often confused with

Wadeite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

Often found alongside wadeite

Minerals reported to co-occur with wadeite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: K₂ZrSi₃O₉
Mohs hardness: 6
Density: 3.19 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless White Pale Pink Pale Blue
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Hexagonal
Crystal habit: Prismatic or Tabular Crystals
Cleavage: Poor On Basal Pinacoid
Fluorescence: Bright Blue Under SW UV
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Alkaline Igneous Rocks and Pegmatites
Typical price: $50-500 depending on crystal size and quality

Where rockhounds find wadeite

Classic worldwide localities

Khibiny Massif, Russia
Murun Massif, Russia
Mont Saint-Hilaire, Canada
Ilimaussaq Complex, Greenland

Field-hunting tip

Look in alkaline igneous rocks and pegmatites country — that is the host setting where wadeite typically forms. If you start seeing nepheline, aegirine, microcline in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic or tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify wadeite?+

Mohs hardness is 6. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, white, pale pink, pale blue.

Where is wadeite found?+

Notable localities include Khibiny Massif, Russia; Murun Massif, Russia; Mont Saint-Hilaire, Canada; Ilimaussaq Complex, Greenland.

How much is wadeite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-500 depending on crystal size and quality. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like wadeite?+

Wadeite is most often confused with Eudialyte, Leucite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with wadeite?+

Wadeite commonly co-occurs with Nepheline, Aegirine, Microcline, Eudialyte. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does wadeite form in?+

Wadeite typically forms in alkaline igneous rocks and pegmatites. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is wadeite used for?+

Wadeite is used in collector.

Find wadeite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.