Buddingtonite is an ammonium-bearing feldspar typically found as a replacement product in hydrothermal environments. It usually occurs as massive, fine-grained aggregates and requires laboratory confirmation via X-ray diffraction or infrared spectroscopy for positive identification.
Is this buddingtonite?
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 buddingtonite with a known reference. Buddingtonite sits at Mohs 5.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Buddingtonite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Buddingtonite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: massive.
Often confused with
Buddingtonite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside buddingtonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with buddingtonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NH₄AlSi₃O₈
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5
- Density
- 2.32 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Massive
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Alteration Zones in Sedimentary Rocks
- Typical price
- $20-100 thumbnail
Where rockhounds find buddingtonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Sulphur Bank Mine, California, USA
- Boron, California, USA
- Kettleman Hills, California, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal alteration zones in sedimentary rocks country — that is the host setting where buddingtonite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, kaolinite, cinnabar in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find buddingtonite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
