Comparison · Minerals vs Silicate Minerals
Analcime vs Natrolite
Analcime and Natrolite are easy to confuse. Both sit near Mohs 5–5.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Analcime and Natrolite
- Both sit near Mohs 5–5.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
- Hold a thin edge to the light: Analcime is Transparent to translucent, Natrolite is transparent.
- They overlap in clear, gray, and pink, but Analcime also comes in green and Natrolite also comes in yellow.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Analcime is Isometric, Natrolite is orthorhombic.
Analcime vs Natrolite properties
| Property | Analcime | Natrolite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Minerals | Silicate Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 5–5.5 | 5.5 |
| Luster | Vitreous | vitreous |
| Streak | White | White |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent | transparent |
| Specific gravity | 2.24–2.29 | 2.25 |
| Crystal system | Isometric | orthorhombic |
| Common colors | Colorless, White, Gray, Pink, Pale green | Colorless, White, Pink, Yellow, Gray |
| Rarity | common | uncommon |
| Typical specimen value | $2–$150+ | $8–$250+ |
Which is more valuable?
Natrolite is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $45 against $20 for Analcime, and premium Natrolite can reach $250 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 Natrolite
Natrolite is a sodium-rich zeolite mineral that forms delicate, slender prismatic crystals, often gathered into radiating sprays. It typically occurs in cavities of basalt and is valued by collectors for its needle-like sprays.
Analcime vs Natrolite FAQ
Is Analcime the same as Natrolite?
No. Analcime is a mineral while Natrolite is a silicate mineral. Both sit near Mohs 5–5.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
How can you tell Analcime from Natrolite?
Both sit near Mohs 5–5.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Hold a thin edge to the light: Analcime is Transparent to translucent, Natrolite is transparent. They overlap in clear, gray, and pink, but Analcime also comes in green and Natrolite also comes in yellow.
Which is harder, Analcime or Natrolite?
They are about equally hard, both near Mohs 5–5.5.
Which is more valuable, Analcime or Natrolite?
Natrolite is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $45 against $20 for Analcime, and premium Natrolite can reach $250 or more.
