Aplowite is a rare secondary cobalt sulfate mineral typically found as crusts or powdery efflorescences in mine workings. Because it is highly soluble and dehydration-prone, specimens should be stored in airtight containers to prevent breakdown into other sulfate phases.
Is this aplowite?
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 aplowite with a known reference. Aplowite sits at Mohs ~3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pink.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: granular to crusty, rare micro-crystals.
Often confused with
Aplowite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Aplowite leaves white, Retgersite leaves pale green.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Aplowite leaves white, Morenosite leaves pale green to white.
How to tell apart: Aplowite is noticeably harder (Mohs ~3 vs. 2).
Often found alongside aplowite
Minerals reported to co-occur with aplowite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CoSO₄·4H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- ~3
- Density
- 2.33 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Granular to crusty, rare micro-crystals
- Cleavage
- None observed
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- As efflorescences with sulfides (probably cobaltian and nickelian pyrite) on siderite–barite matrix from a hydrothermal Pb–Zn–Cu orebody associated with a large barite deposit
Where rockhounds find aplowite
Classic worldwide localities
- Magnet Cove barite mine, four km southwest of Walton, Nova Scotia, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: As efflorescences with sulfides (probably cobaltian and nickelian pyrite) on siderite–barite matrix from a hydrothermal Pb–Zn–Cu orebody associated with a large barite deposit. If you start seeing moorhouseite, siderite, barite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: granular to crusty, rare micro-crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify aplowite?+
Where is aplowite found?+
Is aplowite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like aplowite?+
What minerals are found with aplowite?+
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Find aplowite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
