Dargaite is a very rare sulfate mineral first discovered in the combustion metamorphic rocks of the Darga Mountain in Russia. Collectors should look for its distinctive orthorhombic tabular habit typically found in association with other high-temperature combustion minerals.
Is this dargaite?
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 dargaite with a known reference. Dargaite 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. Dargaite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Dargaite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish-brown, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, subparallel aggregates.
Often confused with
Dargaite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside dargaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with dargaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- K₄Ca(SO₄)₃
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 2.99 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Subparallel Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Combustion Metamorphic Rocks
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find dargaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Verkhoyansk Ridge, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in combustion metamorphic rocks country — that is the host setting where dargaite typically forms. If you start seeing ettringite, gypsum, hydrocalumite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, subparallel aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find dargaite on the map
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