Hydrokenoralstonite is a rare member of the ralstonite group found primarily in advanced cryolite deposits. It typically forms small, sharp octahedral crystals and is most often identified by its association with rare fluoride minerals in pegmatitic environments.
Is this hydrokenoralstonite?
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 hydrokenoralstonite with a known reference. Hydrokenoralstonite sits at Mohs 4.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Hydrokenoralstonite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Hydrokenoralstonite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, yellowish, pinkish.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: octahedral crystals, often showing faces of the cube and dodecahedron.
Often confused with
Hydrokenoralstonite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside hydrokenoralstonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with hydrokenoralstonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Na,Mg)ₓAl₂(F,OH)₆·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5
- Density
- 2.66 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Octahedral Crystals, Often Showing Faces of The Cube and Dodecahedron
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Cryolite-bearing Pegmatites and Hydrothermal Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and crystal quality
Where rockhounds find hydrokenoralstonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Ivigtut, Greenland
- Pikes Peak, Colorado, USA
- Azov Massif, Ukraine
Field-hunting tip
Look in cryolite-bearing pegmatites and hydrothermal deposits country — that is the host setting where hydrokenoralstonite typically forms. If you start seeing cryolite, siderite, fluorite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a octahedral crystals, often showing faces of the cube and dodecahedron habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify hydrokenoralstonite?+
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What rocks look like hydrokenoralstonite?+
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Find hydrokenoralstonite on the map
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