Aegirine is a sodium iron silicate in the pyroxene family, classified as a clinopyroxene with slender prismatic crystals. And, its color ranges from deep green to nearly black, with crystals showing lengthwise striations. The mineral forms in alkalic igneous rocks such as syenite and pegmatite. In this guide, we will cover its metaphysical meaning, the main countries and mines where it is found, how rare it tends to be, realistic price ranges, its physical properties, and a concise explanation of what it is.
Aegirine meaning
Inner strength: Aegirine has long been regarded as a stone that may relate to inner strength, and when viewed through a metaphysical lens it is described as something that holds a very concentrated presence. Many people suggest that it represents a quality of resilience, and in some traditions it has been linked with the ability to stand firmly in one’s values. Its appearance often brings attention to its sharp, elongated shape, which reflects the sense of structure that many find significant when exploring its meaning.
Energy flow: Metaphysical interpretations of Aegirine often describe it as a crystal that carries a distinct sense of movement within energy systems, as its long prismatic form seems to draw the eye upward. It has been thought of as connected with creating a focused line of energetic awareness. In certain contexts, it is viewed as holding qualities that may help establish a feeling of balance. People often reference its role in supporting the natural flow of vitality within metaphysical practices.
Link to spiritual awareness: When studied from a metaphysical perspective, Aegirine is described as a mineral with qualities that may connect to spiritual awareness, with its striking appearance serving as a symbol of higher focus. Its structure gives the impression of reaching upward, which many traditions connect to ideas of clarity. The mineral’s presence has often been associated with practices that emphasize personal exploration of consciousness. Many metaphysical discussions emphasize its place within settings that involve meditation or reflection.
Representation of protection: In metaphysical traditions, Aegirine is often described as a crystal that symbolizes a sense of protection, and its dark coloring has contributed to this association. The way it grows in sharp, defined forms often draws attention to its commanding presence, which may connect to ideas of shielding. Within certain interpretations, it is suggested to represent a boundary that separates one’s own energy from surrounding influences. Many people value this symbolic quality as part of their metaphysical understanding of the stone.
Where is Aegirine found?
Norway: Aegirine was first described in Norway, and the country continues to be recognized as one of the primary localities where notable specimens are collected. The mineral occurs in the syenite rocks of Låven Island near the Langesundfjord, an area that has produced material for more than a century. Norway remains important in discussions of this crystal’s discovery and its lasting place within mineralogical studies.
Canada: In Canada, aegirine has been documented within the alkaline igneous complexes located in Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec. This site has long been famous among mineral collectors due to its wide range of unusual and rare mineral species. Crystals from this locality are often highly regarded because they display sharp forms and distinct features that stand out to those studying them.
United States: Within the United States, aegirine can be found in specific igneous deposits such as those in Magnet Cove, Arkansas. The geological conditions in this region provide an environment that supports the growth of unique minerals, including aegirine crystals. Collectors frequently reference this locality when discussing significant sources within North America.
Russia: Russia also contains occurrences of aegirine, with deposits located in the Kola Peninsula. The region is widely known for its unusual alkaline rocks that are rich in diverse minerals. Many examples from this area show well-developed crystal structures that make them recognizable to mineralogists and collectors alike.
Is it rare?
Aegirine is not considered one of the most common minerals, but it is also not among the extremely rare species that are only found in very limited places. It occurs in certain igneous rocks that form under specific geological conditions, which makes its presence less widespread compared to more abundant minerals like quartz or feldspar. The fact that it is found in several well-known localities across different continents means that it is available, though not in massive quantities.
Collectors often view aegirine as a mineral that is somewhat uncommon because its sharp prismatic crystals and dark coloration are distinctive but not something that appears in every type of rock. Its geological environment is limited mainly to alkaline igneous complexes, which are not as common as other rock formations. For this reason, its distribution is considered specialized and more restricted compared to widely available stones.
Although aegirine is not particularly rare on a global scale, fine quality specimens with well-developed crystals are less frequently encountered. The mineral has been documented in important sites such as Norway, Canada, Russia and the United States, which indicates that it is known in mineralogical studies but not abundant everywhere. Larger or highly aesthetic crystals are usually found only in specific deposits, which makes them more valued by collectors.
When examining rarity, it is important to distinguish between general occurrence and specimen quality, since aegirine can be geologically available but only certain localities provide material that stands out. This distinction helps explain why the mineral is regarded as uncommon yet not extremely scarce. It is therefore seen as a mineral with a moderate level of rarity, recognized by specialists and appreciated by those who study or collect it.
Aegirine price
Smaller pieces of aegirine that are commonly available for collectors usually range in price from around $10 to $30, and these often include rough fragments or small crystal clusters with limited size and quality. Prices at this level make them more accessible for people beginning a collection.
When specimens are larger and display more defined crystal structures, the cost typically increases to between $40 and $100, as these pieces tend to show sharper formations and a more appealing overall appearance. These are often chosen by those seeking display-quality material.
Exceptional examples that feature very sharp, elongated crystals or particularly aesthetic groupings can reach prices of $120 to $250 depending on the overall condition and origin of the specimen. These pieces are less frequently found and are more likely to be sourced from well-documented localities.
Rare and highly desirable specimens from classic mines, especially those with unusual formations or significant size, may command values that extend above $300, with the most remarkable examples sometimes being listed closer to $500. These are often the kinds of pieces that gain the most attention from serious mineral collectors.
What is Aegirine?
Aegirine is a sodium iron silicate mineral in the pyroxene group, classified as a clinopyroxene inosilicate that forms elongated prismatic crystals that are often striated lengthwise and pointed. In composition it is written as NaFeSi₂O₆, with crystals showing dark green to deep green and sometimes brownish tones under different lighting and backgrounds. As a mineral commonly found in alkalic igneous rocks, it occurs in syenite, pegmatite and related assemblages that grow aegirine crystals with clean terminations and acicular or fibrous habits. Under the microscope in thin section it displays birefringence that helps mineralogists separate it from related clinopyroxenes during routine petrography. The name aegirine is derived from Aegir, a sea god from Norse mythology, and the pronunciation is often written as ay-ji-reen for clarity.
History records that it was first described in 1821 from Buskerud in Norway by mineralogist Hans Morten Thrane Esmark, while Berzelius formalized the name aegirine in print soon afterward. Classic Norwegian localities include Kongsberg and Øvre Eiker, and references in resources such as mindat.org compile these records alongside many later finds. Beyond Scandinavia the species is well known from Magnet Cove in Arkansas and from Malawi in Africa, where long, clean aegirine crystals occur with catapleiite and other alkali minerals. Occurrences also extend through Russia and other regions where syenites and related alkalic bodies are present, with aegirine also appearing in regionally metamorphosed schists, blueschist facies rocks, granulites, and even as authigenic grains in shales and marls. Across these environments it commonly occurs with spodumene, ureyite, hedenbergite and other pyroxenes that reflect varied igneous and metamorphic conditions.
Mineralogical literature often treats acmite as a variety of aegirine, and studies in American Mineralogist by researchers including Prewitt C and Papike J J discuss the high-temperature crystal chemistry of acmite and related clinopyroxenes. In practice this relationship is seen as a solid-solution link within the clinopyroxene group, where iron and other cations substitute across compositions in igneous rocks. Field descriptions frequently mention sodium metasomatism along margins of alkali intrusions, a process that introduces sodium and promotes growth of aegirine within syenites and their pegmatites. Textures range from acicular sprays to robust prismatic crystals, with green to black color zoning that reflects changing conditions during crystallization. Basic physical data remain consistent, since aegirine has a Mohs hardness commonly reported near 6 and shows the typical cleavage of clinopyroxenes that helps confirm identification.
Aegirine properties
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Chemical Formula | NaFeSi2O6 |
| Mineral Group | Pyroxene |
| Crystal System | Monoclinic |
| Crystal Habit | Long prismatic crystals, often elongated and slender |
| Color | Dark green to black |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent |
| Luster | Vitreous to slightly greasy |
| Streak | Light brown to grey |
| Hardness (Mohs) | 6 |
| Specific Gravity | 3.2 to 3.4 |
| Cleavage | Two directions, intersecting at about 87° and 93° |
| Fracture | Uneven to brittle |
| Tenacity | Brittle |
