Kalinite is a potassium aluminum sulfate mineral that typically forms as a powdery, efflorescent crust or fibrous mass in mining environments or volcanic fumaroles. It is highly water-soluble and delicate, often requiring dry storage conditions to prevent degradation or dissolution.
Is this kalinite?
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 kalinite with a known reference. Kalinite sits at Mohs 2-2.5, 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: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: fibrous, water soluble.
Often confused with
Kalinite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside kalinite
Minerals reported to co-occur with kalinite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- KAl(SO₄)₂·11H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2-2.5
- Density
- 1.75 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Fibrous, water soluble
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare secondary mineral observed in the oxidized zone of mineral deposits, as efflorescences on alum slates, in caves, and as a volcanic sublimate
Where rockhounds find kalinite
Classic worldwide localities
- Turkey Creek, Jefferson Co., Colorado, USA
- Alum mine, Silver Peak district, Esmeralda Co., Nevada, USA
- Alma pyrite mine, Alameda Co., California, USA
- Mount Wingen, New South Wales, Australia
- Quetena, west of Calama, Antofagasta, Chile
- Found on volcanoes in the Lipari Islands and Sicily, Italy, and on the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare secondary mineral observed in the oxidized zone of mineral deposits, as efflorescences on alum slates, in caves, and as a volcanic sublimate. If you start seeing jarosite, pisanite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: fibrous, water soluble. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify kalinite?+
Where is kalinite found?+
What rocks look like kalinite?+
What minerals are found with kalinite?+
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Find kalinite on the map
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