Comparison · Minerals
Analcime vs Fluorite
Analcime and Fluorite are easy to confuse because both are minerals. Analcime is harder (Mohs 5–5.5) than Fluorite (Mohs 4), so Analcime will scratch Fluorite and not the other way round. A steel knife blade (Mohs 5.5) scratches it; a copper coin does not. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Analcime and Fluorite
- Analcime is harder (Mohs 5–5.5) than Fluorite (Mohs 4), so Analcime will scratch Fluorite and not the other way round. A steel knife blade (Mohs 5.5) scratches it; a copper coin does not.
- Fluorite feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 3.2 versus 2.24–2.29 for Analcime).
- Hold a thin edge to the light: Analcime is Transparent to translucent, Fluorite is transparent.
- They overlap in clear, pink, and green, but Analcime also comes in gray and Fluorite also comes in purple, blue, and yellow.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Analcime is Isometric, Fluorite is cubic.
Analcime vs Fluorite properties
| Property | Analcime | Fluorite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Minerals | Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 5–5.5 | 4 |
| Luster | Vitreous | vitreous |
| Streak | White | White |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent | transparent |
| Specific gravity | 2.24–2.29 | 3.2 |
| Crystal system | Isometric | cubic |
| Common colors | Colorless, White, Gray, Pink, Pale green | Purple, Green, Blue, Yellow, Colorless, Pink |
| Rarity | common | common |
| Typical specimen value | $2–$150+ | $5–$200+ |
Which is more valuable?
Fluorite is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $25 against $20 for Analcime, and premium Fluorite can reach $200 or more.
About Analcime
Analcime is a hydrated sodium aluminosilicate, NaAlSi2O6·H2O, and one of the few zeolites to crystallize in the isometric system rather than a lower-symmetry one. It typically forms trapezohedral crystals with twenty-four faces, giving specimens a distinctive rounded, many-sided appearance. Chemically it sits at the boundary between the zeolite and feldspathoid mineral groups.
About Fluorite
Fluorite is a colorful mineral that often exhibits multiple colors in a single specimen. It's the defining mineral for 4 on the Mohs hardness scale.
Analcime vs Fluorite FAQ
Is Analcime the same as Fluorite?
No. Both are minerals, but they are distinct species with different hardness, streak or luster. Analcime is harder (Mohs 5–5.5) than Fluorite (Mohs 4), so Analcime will scratch Fluorite and not the other way round. A steel knife blade (Mohs 5.5) scratches it; a copper coin does not.
How can you tell Analcime from Fluorite?
Analcime is harder (Mohs 5–5.5) than Fluorite (Mohs 4), so Analcime will scratch Fluorite and not the other way round. A steel knife blade (Mohs 5.5) scratches it; a copper coin does not. Fluorite feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 3.2 versus 2.24–2.29 for Analcime). Hold a thin edge to the light: Analcime is Transparent to translucent, Fluorite is transparent.
Which is harder, Analcime or Fluorite?
Analcime is harder: Mohs 5–5.5 against Mohs 4 for Fluorite.
Which is more valuable, Analcime or Fluorite?
Fluorite is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $25 against $20 for Analcime, and premium Fluorite can reach $200 or more.
