$588Median
2Sold (12 mo)
$410Last sale
Leifite specimens for sale
4 for sale · $260–$5,000 USD
18 in the gallery
Leifite is a rare fluoride-bearing framework silicate mineral that forms intricate, often tabular to prismatic crystals. It typically presents a pale to colorless appearance, sometimes with faint yellow or brown hues, and a vitreous to adamantine lustre that highlights its delicate crystal faces. The mineral crystallizes in habitats that support high beryllosilicate activity and fluoride availability, with notable specimens reported from Canadian localities. In hand samples, leifite can appear as composite aggregates or small, well-formed crystals set in silicate matrices, offering a distinctly airy look due to its open-framework structure.
- Formula
- (Na,H2O)Na6[Be2Al2(Al,Si)Si15O39]F2
- Rarity
- Rare
- Stability
- Stable
- Collector interest
- Moderate Interest
- Classification notes
- Silicate; cyclosilicate, leifite group
Key characteristics
- Crystal system
- trigonal
- Mohs hardness
- 6
- Specific gravity
- 2.56–2.58
- Luster
- vitreous, pearly
- Transparency
- transparent, translucent
- Color
- colorless, white, gray
- Streak
- white
- Cleavage
- perfect
- Fracture
- uneven
- Crystal habit
- prismatic, tabular, acicular, radiating, massive
Buy Leifite specimens
View all 4Where Leifite is found
Top localities
- Poudrette Quarry9 specimens
- Mont Saint-Hilaire6 specimens
- Québec1 specimen
- Carrière Poudrette1 specimen
About Leifite
Collectors value leifite for its rarity, its unusual chemical composition featuring mounted boron and aluminum in a complex silicate framework, and the challenge of locating specimens showing well-formed crystals. The mineral’s association with other rare silicates and fluorides makes it a sought-after addition for cabinet displays and mineralogical study. Fine examples tend to be small but highly crystalline, and they reward careful handling and display in mineral boxes where their fragile, transparent faces can be appreciated under proper lighting.
