How do I identify Villiaumite?

Villiaumite can be identified by its hardness of 2 - 2.5 on the Mohs scale, Dark carmine-red color. Look for these key characteristics when examining specimens.

What color is Villiaumite?

Villiaumite typically appears in Dark carmine-red, dark red, light orange, pink. Color can vary depending on impurities and formation conditions.

How hard is Villiaumite?

Villiaumite has a hardness of 2 - 2.5 on the Mohs scale. This makes it a soft mineral that can be scratched easily.

Villiaumite

A variety of Minerals

What is Villiaumite?

Villiaumite is a rare halide mineral composed of sodium fluoride, NaF. It is very soluble in water and some specimens fluoresce under long and short wave ultraviolet light. It has a Mohs hardness of 2.5 and is usually red, pink, or orange in color. It is toxic to humans. The red color is due to a broad absorption peaking at 512 nm. It is a result of radiation damage to the crystal.

Optical Properties

Refractive Index: 1.328-1.332
Pleochroism: Yellow to pink/deep carmine
Optical Character: Isotropic

Villiaumite Market Value Calculator

Estimate the market value of Villiaumite using size, quality, and finish. This preview calculator is for quick context and is not a formal appraisal.

Villiaumite Localities Map

See where Villiaumite is found with a localities map, collecting zones, and geology context. Generate a sample map preview below.

Map preview

North ZoneCentral RidgeSouth Basin

Key Characteristics

Formation of Villiaumite

It occurs in nepheline syenite intrusives and in nepheline syenite pegmatites. It occurs associated with aegirine, sodalite, nepheline, neptunite, lamprophyllite, pectolite, serandite, eudialyte, ussingite, chkalovite and zeolites. It has been reported from Minas Gerais, Brazil; Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada; the Ilimaussaq complex of Greenland; Lake Magadi, Kenya; Windhoek District, Namibia; the Fen Complex, Telemark, Norway; the Khibiny and Lovozero Massifs, Kola Peninsula, Russia; Porphyry Mountain, Boulder County, Colorado and Point of Rocks Mesa, Colfax County, New Mexico, US. It was first described in 1908 for an occurrence in Los Islands, Guinea and named after the French explorer, Maxime Villiaume.