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 4-5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: porcelaneous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: anhedral grains, microscopic crystals.
Often confused with
Jadarite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Jadarite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4-5 vs. 2-2.5); luster reads porcelaneous on Jadarite and vitreous to resinous, may be earthy on Borax.
How to tell apart: Jadarite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4-5 vs. 2.5); luster reads porcelaneous on Jadarite and vitreous, satiny on fibrous cleavages on Kernite.
Often found alongside jadarite
Minerals reported to co-occur with jadarite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- LiNaSiB₃O₇(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 4-5
- Density
- 2.45 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Porcelaneous
- Transparency
- Translucent to opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral grains, microscopic crystals
- Cleavage
- None observed
- Fluorescence
- Weak pink orange under SW and LW UV
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific research
- Host rock
- In a sequence of interbedded oil-shales, dolomicrites and pyroclastic tuffaceous deposits of lacustrine basin fill and marine origin
Where rockhounds find jadarite
Classic worldwide localities
- Jadar Basin, Serbia (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In a sequence of interbedded oil-shales, dolomicrites and pyroclastic tuffaceous deposits of lacustrine basin fill and marine origin. If you start seeing calcite, dolomite, k-feldspar in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: anhedral grains, microscopic crystals. 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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