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, 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
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Find glushinskite on the map
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