Aluminoceladonite is a member of the mica group often found as a secondary mineral resulting from the hydrothermal alteration of volcanic rocks. It is noted for its distinctive blue-green color and micaceous, earthy habit, often forming crusts or coatings within vugs and fractures.
Is this aluminoceladonite?
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 aluminoceladonite with a known reference. Aluminoceladonite sits at Mohs 2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Aluminoceladonite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Aluminoceladonite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: blue, green, blue-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: massive, micaceous, earthy, or as fibrous aggregates.
Often confused with
Aluminoceladonite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads pearly on Aluminoceladonite and dull on Celadonite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Aluminoceladonite leaves white, Glauconite leaves pale green; luster reads pearly on Aluminoceladonite and dull on Glauconite.
Often found alongside aluminoceladonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with aluminoceladonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- KAl(Mg,Fe²⁺)Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 2.8-2.9 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Micaceous, Earthy, Or as Fibrous Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins, Altered Volcanic Rocks
- Typical price
- $10-50 per specimen
Where rockhounds find aluminoceladonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Hokkaido, Japan
- Srednogorie Zone, Bulgaria
- Kola Peninsula, Russia
- Tuscany, Italy
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins, altered volcanic rocks country, the host setting where aluminoceladonite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, calcite, chlorite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, micaceous, earthy, or as fibrous aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify aluminoceladonite?+
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How much is aluminoceladonite worth?+
What rocks look like aluminoceladonite?+
What minerals are found with aluminoceladonite?+
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Find aluminoceladonite on the map
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