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, 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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