Ivsite is an extremely rare sulfate mineral found exclusively at the historic cryolite deposit in Ivigtut, Greenland. It typically occurs as small, delicate colorless platy crystals or crusts associated with other secondary minerals in the cryolite mine environment.

Hardness

Mohs

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Ivsite

Hardness: 2
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

No image

Is this ivsite?

4-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch ivsite with a known reference. Ivsite sits at Mohs 2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless.
4
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals, crusts.

Often confused with

Ivsite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

How to tell apart: Antlerite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2); streak differs, so Ivsite leaves white, Antlerite leaves pale green.

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Often found alongside ivsite

Minerals reported to co-occur with ivsite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Na₃H(SO₄)₂
Mohs hardness: 2
Density: 2.406 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Platy crystals, crusts
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: A sublimate at an active volcanic fumarole (Kamchatka); secondary in the post-mining oxidation zone of asphaltum-rich sandstone beds laced with uraninite and sulfides in a damp underground environment (Utah)

Where rockhounds find ivsite

Classic worldwide localities

Blue Lizard mine, Red Canyon, San Juan County, Utah, USA
A fumarole on the Naboko outburst, Tolbachik fissure eruption, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia (type locality)

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: A sublimate at an active volcanic fumarole (Kamchatka); secondary in the post-mining oxidation zone of asphaltum-rich sandstone beds laced with uraninite and sulfides in a damp underground environment (Utah). If you start seeing copiapite, ferrinatrite, metavoltine in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy crystals, crusts. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify ivsite?+

Mohs hardness is 2. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless.

Where is ivsite found?+

Notable localities include Blue Lizard mine, Red Canyon, San Juan County, Utah, USA; A fumarole on the Naboko outburst, Tolbachik fissure eruption, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia (type locality).

What rocks look like ivsite?+

Ivsite is most often confused with Chalcanthite, Antlerite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with ivsite?+

Ivsite commonly co-occurs with Copiapite, Ferrinatrite, Metavoltine, Römerite, Seaborgite, Gypsum. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does ivsite form in?+

Where it forms: A sublimate at an active volcanic fumarole (Kamchatka); secondary in the post-mining oxidation zone of asphaltum-rich sandstone beds laced with uraninite and sulfides in a damp underground environment (Utah). Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is ivsite used for?+

Ivsite is used in collector.

Find ivsite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.