Glushinskite is a rare magnesium oxalate mineral typically found as thin crusts or efflorescences on coal surfaces. It is most commonly identified in environments where organic matter has reacted with magnesium-rich fluids within coal deposits.
Is this glushinskite?
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 glushinskite with a known reference. Glushinskite sits at Mohs 2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Glushinskite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Glushinskite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: crusts, efflorescences, radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Glushinskite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside glushinskite
Minerals reported to co-occur with glushinskite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mg(C₂O₄)·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 1.74 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Crusts, Efflorescences, Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Coal Seams
- Typical price
- $50-200 depending on specimen size and rarity
Where rockhounds find glushinskite
Classic worldwide localities
- Glushinskoe deposit, Russia
- Santa Rosa, Mexico
- various coal mines
Field-hunting tip
Look in coal seams country — that is the host setting where glushinskite typically forms. If you start seeing coal, whewellite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a crusts, efflorescences, radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify glushinskite?+
Where is glushinskite found?+
How much is glushinskite worth?+
What rocks look like glushinskite?+
What minerals are found with glushinskite?+
What kind of rock does glushinskite form in?+
What is glushinskite used for?+
Find glushinskite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
