Blödite is a sulfate mineral that forms in saline evaporite deposits, often found as well-developed, glassy, prismatic crystals. It is highly water-soluble, so it should be kept in a dry environment and protected from humidity to prevent degradation. It is most commonly found in association with other evaporite minerals in salt mines and saline lake environments.
Is this blödite?
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 blödite with a known reference. Blödite 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. Blödite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Blödite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, yellowish, greenish, reddish.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, massive, granular.
Often confused with
Blödite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside blödite
Minerals reported to co-occur with blödite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₂Mg(SO₄)₂·4H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 2.35 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Massive, Granular
- Cleavage
- Poor On {111}
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Evaporite Deposits
- Typical price
- $10-60 for small to medium display specimens
Where rockhounds find blödite
Classic worldwide localities
- Stassfurt, Germany
- Ischl, Austria
- Kern County, California, USA
- Chile
- Kazakhstan
Field-hunting tip
Look in evaporite deposits country — that is the host setting where blödite typically forms. If you start seeing halite, polyhalite, kieserite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find blödite on the map
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