Kanemite is a rare hydrated sodium silicate mineral primarily found in evaporitic alkaline lake deposits. It typically forms delicate, white, platy, or micaceous aggregates that are easily dehydrated upon exposure to air.
Is this kanemite?
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 kanemite with a known reference. Kanemite sits at Mohs ~4, 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: silky.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: platy crystals.
Often confused with
Kanemite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Kanemite is noticeably harder (Mohs ~4 vs. 2); luster reads silky on Kanemite and vitreous to dull on Magadiite.
How to tell apart: Kanemite is noticeably harder (Mohs ~4 vs. 2-3); luster reads silky on Kanemite and pearly on Kenyaite.
Often found alongside kanemite
Minerals reported to co-occur with kanemite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaHSi₂O₅·3H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- ~4
- Density
- 1.926 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Silky
- Transparency
- Translucent to transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Platy crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {010}, good on {100}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In evaporites in an interdunary depression (Andjia, Chad)
Where rockhounds find kanemite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kanem region, near Andjia, Chad
- Lake Bogoria, Rift Valley, Kenya
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In evaporites in an interdunary depression (Andjia, Chad). If you start seeing gaylussite, trona, magadiite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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What rocks look like kanemite?+
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Find kanemite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
