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, 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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How much is görgeyite worth?+
What rocks look like görgeyite?+
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Find görgeyite on the map
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