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, 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.
