Indigirite is an extremely rare hydrated magnesium aluminum carbonate mineral typically found as white to pale blue crusts or coatings. It is primarily known from its type locality in the Indigirka River basin of Russia, usually forming in the secondary oxidation zones of sulfide-rich deposits. Collectors prize it for its scarcity and characteristic lamellar crystal structure.
Is this indigirite?
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 indigirite with a known reference. Indigirite 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. Indigirite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Indigirite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, pale blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: crusts, aggregates of lamellar crystals, earthy.
Often confused with
Indigirite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside indigirite
Minerals reported to co-occur with indigirite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mg₂Al₂(CO₃)₄(OH)₄·15H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 2.1 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Crusts, Aggregates of Lamellar Crystals, Earthy
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Hydrothermal Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find indigirite
Classic worldwide localities
- Indigirka River basin, Sakha Republic, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of hydrothermal deposits country — that is the host setting where indigirite typically forms. If you start seeing nesquehonite, hydromagnesite, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a crusts, aggregates of lamellar crystals, earthy habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify indigirite?+
Where is indigirite found?+
How much is indigirite worth?+
What rocks look like indigirite?+
What minerals are found with indigirite?+
What kind of rock does indigirite form in?+
What is indigirite used for?+
Find indigirite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
