Blauberite is a rare, unstable sulfate mineral that typically forms as a dehydration pseudomorph of mirabilite. It is found almost exclusively in hypersaline lake beds and evaporite environments, often requiring careful storage to prevent further degradation into thenardite.
Is this blauberite?
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 blauberite with a known reference. Blauberite sits at Mohs 2.5-3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Blauberite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Blauberite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, yellowish, grayish.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Blauberite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside blauberite
Minerals reported to co-occur with blauberite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₂SO₄
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5-3
- Density
- 1.48 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals
- Cleavage
- Distinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Evaporite Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-100 per specimen
Where rockhounds find blauberite
1 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Villarubia de Santiago, Spain
- Sodegaura, Japan
- various salt lakes
Field-hunting tip
Look in evaporite deposits country — that is the host setting where blauberite typically forms. If you start seeing mirabilite, thenardite, halite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Utah — start trip planning there.
Common questions
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Find blauberite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
