Gwihabaite is a rare ammonium-potassium nitrate mineral typically found as white, fibrous, or acicular coatings in cave environments. It is formed through the interaction of bat guano with limestone cave walls and is extremely soluble, requiring dry conditions for preservation.
Is this gwihabaite?
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 gwihabaite with a known reference. Gwihabaite 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. Gwihabaite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Gwihabaite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: acicular or fibrous aggregates.
Often confused with
Gwihabaite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside gwihabaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with gwihabaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (NH₄,K)NO₃
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 2.12 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Acicular or Fibrous Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Limestone Cave Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find gwihabaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Gwihaba Cave, Botswana
- Driekopseiland, South Africa
Field-hunting tip
Look in limestone cave deposits country — that is the host setting where gwihabaite typically forms. If you start seeing niter, calcite, gypsum in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular or fibrous aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find gwihabaite on the map
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