Aqualite is a rare sodium potassium strontium silicate, typically pale pink. It occurs in a hydrothermally altered perakaline pegmatite in an alkaline massif. It was first described from Inagli massif, ~30 km ESE of Aldan, Sakha Republic, Russia.
Is this aqualite?
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 aqualite with a known reference. Aqualite sits at Mohs 4-5, 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: trigonal. Typical habit: equant crystals.
Often confused with
Aqualite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Grossular is the harder of the two (Mohs 6.5-7 vs. 4-5).
How to tell apart: Andradite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6.5-7 vs. 4-5); luster reads vitreous on Aqualite and adamantine to resinous, dull on Andradite.
Often found alongside aqualite
Minerals reported to co-occur with aqualite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (H₃O)₈(Na,K,Sr)₅Ca₆Zr₃Si₂₆O₆₆(OH)₉Cl
- Mohs hardness
- 4-5
- Density
- 2.58 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Equant crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In a hydrothermally altered perakaline pegmatite in an alkaline massif
Where rockhounds find aqualite
Classic worldwide localities
- Inagli massif, ~30 km ESE of Aldan, Sakha Republic (former Yakutsk), Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In a hydrothermally altered perakaline pegmatite in an alkaline massif. If you start seeing natrolite, microcline, eckermanite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: equant crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify aqualite?+
Where is aqualite found?+
What rocks look like aqualite?+
What minerals are found with aqualite?+
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What is aqualite used for?+
Find aqualite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
