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, 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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