Ammoniolasalite is a rare ammonium chloride mineral typically found in volcanic fumaroles or as a sublimate in burning coal seams. It usually forms as small, delicate, colorless to yellowish cubic or octahedral crystals that are highly soluble in water and sensitive to atmospheric moisture.
Is this ammoniolasalite?
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 ammoniolasalite with a known reference. Ammoniolasalite sits at Mohs 1.5-2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Ammoniolasalite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Ammoniolasalite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, yellowish.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: octahedral, massive, encrustations.
Often confused with
Ammoniolasalite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside ammoniolasalite
Minerals reported to co-occur with ammoniolasalite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (NH₄)Cl
- Mohs hardness
- 1.5-2
- Density
- 1.53 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Octahedral, Massive, Encrustations
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Fumaroles, Volcanic Vents, Burning Coal Seams
- Typical price
- $20-100 for small display specimens
Where rockhounds find ammoniolasalite
Classic worldwide localities
- Vesuvius (Italy)
- Etna (Italy)
- Parícutin (Mexico)
- Centralia (USA)
Field-hunting tip
Look in fumaroles, volcanic vents, burning coal seams country — that is the host setting where ammoniolasalite typically forms. If you start seeing sulfur, realgar, gyalite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a octahedral, massive, encrustations habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify ammoniolasalite?+
Where is ammoniolasalite found?+
How much is ammoniolasalite worth?+
What rocks look like ammoniolasalite?+
What minerals are found with ammoniolasalite?+
What kind of rock does ammoniolasalite form in?+
What is ammoniolasalite used for?+
Find ammoniolasalite on the map
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