Veblenite is a rare potassium sodium iron silicate, typically red-brown. It is an included in feldspar in gneiss. It was first described from Ten Mile Lake, Seal Lake area, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
Is this veblenite?
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 veblenite with a known reference. Veblenite sits at Mohs 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Veblenite leaves a very pale brown streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Veblenite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: red-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Veblenite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Eudialyte is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-6 vs. 3); streak differs, so Veblenite leaves very pale brown, Eudialyte leaves white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Veblenite leaves very pale brown, Astrophyllite leaves golden-brown; luster reads vitreous on Veblenite and submetallic on Astrophyllite.
Often found alongside veblenite
Minerals reported to co-occur with veblenite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- K₂☐₂Na(Fe²⁺₅Fe³⁺₄Mn₇☐)Nb₃Ti(Si₂O₇)₂(Si₈O₂₂)₂O₆(OH)₁₀(H₂O)₃
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 3.046 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Very Pale Brown
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Igneous Complexes
Where rockhounds find veblenite
Classic worldwide localities
- Poudrette quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline igneous complexes country, the host setting where veblenite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, microcline, aegirine in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify veblenite?+
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Find veblenite on the map
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