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 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Kalinite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Kalinite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: fibrous, efflorescent crusts, massive.
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
- Density
- 1.75 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Fibrous, Efflorescent Crusts, Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Fumaroles and Coal Mine Tailings
- Typical price
- $10-40 per specimen
Where rockhounds find kalinite
Classic worldwide localities
- Czech Republic
- USA (Arizona)
- Germany
- Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in fumaroles and coal mine tailings country — that is the host setting where kalinite typically forms. If you start seeing alunogen, gypsum, sulfur in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a fibrous, efflorescent crusts, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find kalinite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
