Badalovite is a rare sodium magnesium iron arsenate that forms obliquely terminated prismatic crystals. It is a sublimate at an active volcanic fumarole. It was first described from the Arsenatnaya fumarole, Tolbachik Volcano, Kamchatka, Russia.
Is this badalovite?
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 badalovite with a known reference. Badalovite sits at Mohs ~3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white to pale greenish or pale yellowish.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pale green, green, greenish gray, gray, bluish greenish, greenish yellow, bright yellow, honey-yellow, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: obliquely terminated prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Badalovite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside badalovite
Minerals reported to co-occur with badalovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaNaMg(MgFe³⁺)(AsO₄)₃
- Mohs hardness
- ~3.5
- Density
- 4.016 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White to pale greenish or pale yellowish
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Obliquely terminated prismatic crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Mineralogical research
- Host rock
- A sublimate at an active volcanic fumarole
Where rockhounds find badalovite
Classic worldwide localities
- Arsenatnaya fumarole, Second scoria cone, Northern Breakthrough of the Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption, Tolbachik Volcano, Kamchatka, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A sublimate at an active volcanic fumarole. If you start seeing hematite, tenorite, cassiterite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: obliquely terminated prismatic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find badalovite on the map
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