Aluminopyracmonite is a rare ammonium aluminum sulfate mineral found primarily in volcanic fumarolic environments. It typically occurs as delicate, white to colorless crusts or efflorescences around active volcanic vents and is highly water-soluble.
Is this aluminopyracmonite?
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 aluminopyracmonite with a known reference. Aluminopyracmonite sits at Mohs 2.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Aluminopyracmonite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Aluminopyracmonite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: crusts, efflorescences.
Often confused with
Aluminopyracmonite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside aluminopyracmonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with aluminopyracmonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (NH₄)₃Al(SO₄)₃
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 2.33 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Crusts, Efflorescences
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Fumarolic Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-200 small specimen
Where rockhounds find aluminopyracmonite
Classic worldwide localities
- La Fossa crater, Vulcano, Aeolian Islands, Italy
Field-hunting tip
Look in fumarolic deposits country, the host setting where aluminopyracmonite typically forms. If you start seeing mascagnite, tschermigite, sulfur in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a crusts, efflorescences habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify aluminopyracmonite?+
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How much is aluminopyracmonite worth?+
What rocks look like aluminopyracmonite?+
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Find aluminopyracmonite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
