Jadarite is an extremely rare lithium sodium borosilicate mineral known for its striking bright orange-pink fluorescence under shortwave UV light. It was famously noted in popular media for its chemical composition matching the fictional mineral 'kryptonite' from Superman comics. It is primarily found as small, chalky-looking masses within sedimentary borate deposits in Serbia.
Is this jadarite?
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 jadarite with a known reference. Jadarite sits at Mohs 3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Jadarite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Jadarite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: massive, granular aggregates.
Often confused with
Jadarite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- LiNaSiB₃O₇(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 2.44 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Granular Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Fluorescence
- Bright Orange-pink Under SW UV
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Sedimentary Lacustrine Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find jadarite
Classic worldwide localities
- Jadar Valley, Serbia
Field-hunting tip
Look in sedimentary lacustrine deposits country — that is the host setting where jadarite typically forms. If you start seeing borates, silicates in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, granular aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find jadarite on the map
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