Admontite is a very rare borate mineral typically found in evaporite deposits. It occurs as small, colorless tabular crystals and is known primarily from its type locality in Styria, Austria.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Admontite

Admontite is a very rare borate mineral typically found in evaporite deposits. It occurs as small, colorless tabular crystals and is known primarily from its type locality in Styria, Austria.

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

Is this admontite?

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 admontite with a known reference. Admontite 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. Admontite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Admontite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Borax

Mohs 2-2.5

How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Admontite and vitreous to earthy on Borax.

How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Admontite and vitreous to pearly on Kernite.

Compare →

Often found alongside admontite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: MgB₆O₁₀·7H₂O
Mohs hardness: 2
Density: 2.05 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless White
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals
Cleavage: Perfect
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Evaporite Deposits
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find admontite

Classic worldwide localities

Admont, Styria, Austria

Field-hunting tip

Look in evaporite deposits country — that is the host setting where admontite typically forms. If you start seeing hexa-borite, gypsum, halite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify admontite?+

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

Where is admontite found?+

Notable localities include Admont, Styria, Austria.

How much is admontite 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.

What rocks look like admontite?+

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

What minerals are found with admontite?+

Admontite commonly co-occurs with Hexa-borite, Gypsum, Halite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does admontite form in?+

Admontite typically forms in evaporite deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is admontite used for?+

Admontite is used in collector.

Find admontite on the map

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