Abhurite is a rare tin-oxychloride mineral that typically forms as a result of the corrosion of tin-bearing artifacts submerged in seawater. It usually presents as small, colorless to white platy or tabular crystals on the surface of the corroded metal.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Pearly

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Abhurite

Hardness: 2
Luster: Pearly
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this abhurite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch abhurite with a known reference. Abhurite sits at Mohs 2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Abhurite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Abhurite typically shows a pearly luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals, platy aggregates.

Often confused with

Abhurite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Cassiterite

Mohs 6-7

How to tell apart: Cassiterite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6-7 vs. 2); luster reads pearly on Abhurite and adamantine on Cassiterite.

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Abhurite leaves white, Romarchite leaves black; luster reads pearly on Abhurite and submetallic on Romarchite.

Compare →

Often found alongside abhurite

Minerals reported to co-occur with abhurite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Sn₂₁O₆(OH)₁₄Cl₁₆
Mohs hardness: 2
Density: 5.65 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless White
Streak: White
Luster: Pearly
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals, Platy Aggregates
Cleavage: Perfect Basal
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Corroded Tin-bearing Artifacts in Marine Environments
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find abhurite

Classic worldwide localities

Red Sea coast, Saudi Arabia
Laurion, Greece

Field-hunting tip

Look in corroded tin-bearing artifacts in marine environments country, the host setting where abhurite typically forms. If you start seeing cassiterite, romarchite, anglesite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, platy aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify abhurite?+

Mohs hardness is 2. It typically shows a pearly luster. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, white.

Where is abhurite found?+

Notable localities include Red Sea coast, Saudi Arabia; Laurion, Greece.

How much is abhurite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

Is abhurite safe to handle?+

It contains toxic constituents. Contains tin and chlorine; avoid inhaling dust and wash hands thoroughly after handling as it is a heavy metal compound. Handle with care, avoid grinding or breathing dust, and store separately.

What rocks look like abhurite?+

Abhurite is most often confused with Cassiterite, Romarchite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with abhurite?+

Abhurite commonly co-occurs with cassiterite, romarchite, anglesite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does abhurite form in?+

Abhurite typically forms in corroded tin-bearing artifacts in marine environments. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is abhurite used for?+

Abhurite is used in collector.

Find abhurite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.