Godovikovite is a rare ammonium aluminum sulfate that typically forms as a secondary mineral in burning coal heaps. It is easily identified by its occurrence as white crusts or efflorescences associated with other sulfate minerals in combustion zones.
Is this godovikovite?
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 godovikovite with a known reference. Godovikovite 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. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: dull to chalky in aggregates.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: crusts, efflorescences, massive aggregates.
Often confused with
Godovikovite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads dull to chalky in aggregates on Godovikovite and vitreous, silky if fibrous on Tschermigite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads dull to chalky in aggregates on Godovikovite and vitreous to silky on Alunogen.
Often found alongside godovikovite
Minerals reported to co-occur with godovikovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NH₄Al(SO₄)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 2.53 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Dull to chalky in aggregates
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Crusts, efflorescences, massive aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- As reaction crusts around outlets releasing sulfuric acid from burning coal heaps
Where rockhounds find godovikovite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kopeysk, Chelyabinsk coal basin, Southern Urals, Russia
- Schoeller mine, Libušin, near Kladno, Czech Republic
- Ravat, Tien-Shan Mountains, Tajikistan
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: As reaction crusts around outlets releasing sulfuric acid from burning coal heaps. If you start seeing tschermigite, alunogen, sulfur in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: crusts, efflorescences, massive aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find godovikovite on the map
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