Akdalaite is a rare aluminum oxide mineral found in hydrothermal deposits. It is typically identified by its hexagonal platy habit and white color, often occurring alongside other aluminum-bearing phases.
Is this akdalaite?
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 akdalaite with a known reference. Akdalaite sits at Mohs 4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Akdalaite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Akdalaite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: platy crystals, fine-grained aggregates.
Often confused with
Akdalaite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside akdalaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with akdalaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Al₁₀O₁₄(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 3.37 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Fine-grained Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins in Metamorphic Rocks
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find akdalaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Akdala deposit, Kazakhstan
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins in metamorphic rocks country — that is the host setting where akdalaite typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, quartz, fluorite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, fine-grained aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find akdalaite on the map
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