Aiolosite is a rare sodium bismuth sulfate that forms colorless to white acicular to slender terminated prismatic crystals. It occurs in altered pyroclastic breccia in an active medium-temperature intracrater volcanic fumarole. It was first described from La Fossa Crater, Vulcano, Aeolian Islands, Sicily, Italy.
Is this aiolosite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch aiolosite with a known reference. Aiolosite sits at Mohs 3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Aiolosite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Aiolosite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: acicular to slender terminated prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Aiolosite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside aiolosite
Minerals reported to co-occur with aiolosite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₂(Na₂Bi)(SO₄)₃Cl
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 3.589 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Acicular to Slender Terminated Prismatic Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Fumarolic Deposits
Where rockhounds find aiolosite
Classic worldwide localities
- La Fossa Crater, Sicily, Italy
Field-hunting tip
Look in fumarolic deposits country, the host setting where aiolosite typically forms. If you start seeing piypite, euchlorine, doloresite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular to slender terminated prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify aiolosite?+
Where is aiolosite found?+
What rocks look like aiolosite?+
What minerals are found with aiolosite?+
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Find aiolosite on the map
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