Görgeyite is a rare sulfate mineral typically found as a secondary phase in complex evaporite deposits. Collectors should look for delicate, radiating sprays of acicular crystals or small prismatic blades often associated with massive polyhalite and anhydrite.
Is this görgeyite?
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 görgeyite with a known reference. Görgeyite 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. Görgeyite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Görgeyite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, yellowish, pinkish.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic to acicular crystals, often in radiating clusters or massive aggregates.
Often confused with
Görgeyite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside görgeyite
Minerals reported to co-occur with görgeyite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- K₂Ca₅(SO₄)₆·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 2.76 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic to Acicular Crystals, Often in Radiating Clusters or Massive Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Evaporite Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-150 for rare micro-specimens
Where rockhounds find görgeyite
Classic worldwide localities
- Bad Ischl, Austria
- Stassfurt, Germany
- Werra district, Germany
- Dora-Maira massif, Italy
Field-hunting tip
Look in evaporite deposits country — that is the host setting where görgeyite typically forms. If you start seeing polyhalite, anhydrite, gypsum in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic to acicular crystals, often in radiating clusters or massive aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify görgeyite?+
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What rocks look like görgeyite?+
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Find görgeyite on the map
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