Albertiniite is an extremely rare iron sulfite mineral found primarily in abandoned mine workings where it forms as a secondary mineral product. It typically occurs as small, delicate yellow tabular crystals or crusts that are highly sensitive to moisture and oxidation, requiring careful storage for collectors.
Is this albertiniite?
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 albertiniite with a known reference. Albertiniite sits at Mohs 2-3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Albertiniite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Albertiniite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish-orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, crystalline crusts.
Often confused with
Albertiniite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside albertiniite
Minerals reported to co-occur with albertiniite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Fe²⁺(SO₃)·3H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 3.55 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Crystalline Crusts
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Vein Oxidation Zones
- Typical price
- $50-300 for micro-mounts
Where rockhounds find albertiniite
Classic worldwide localities
- Miniera Montevecchio, Sardinia, Italy
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal vein oxidation zones country — that is the host setting where albertiniite typically forms. If you start seeing pyrite, sphalerite, galena in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, crystalline crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find albertiniite on the map
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