The feldspathoids are a group of tectosilicate minerals which resemble feldspars but have a different structure and much lower silica content. They occur in rare and unusual types of igneous rocks, and are usually not found in rocks containing primary quartz. A notable exception where feldspathoids and quartz-bearing rocks are found together is the Red Hill Syenite.

Foid, a contraction of the term feldspathoid, is applied to any igneous rock containing up to 60% modal feldspathoid minerals. For example, a syenite with significant nepheline present can be termed a nepheline-bearing syenite or nepheline syenite, with the term nepheline replaceable by any foid mineral. Such terminology is used in the Streckeisen (QAPF) classification of igneous rocks.

Feldspathoid minerals

  • Afghanite– Tectosilicate mineral in the feldspathoid group
  • Analcime– Zeolite mineral
  • Cancrinite– Feldspathoid mineral
  • Kalsilite– Vitreous white to grey feldspathoidal mineral
  • Leucite– Potassium and aluminium tectosilicate mineral
  • Nepheline– Silica-undersaturated aluminosilicate mineral
  • Sodalite Group Hauyne– Rare feldspathoid mineral in the sodalite group Lazurite– Alumino-silicate mineral whose blue colour is due to a sulfide species and not copper Nosean– Mineral of the feldspathoid group Sodalite– Blue tectosilicate mineral Tugtupite– Feldspathoid mineral in the sodalite group