Khademite is a rare hydrated aluminum sulfate fluoride mineral that typically forms as a secondary encrustation in oxidized ore deposits. Collectors primarily find it as delicate, fibrous, or powdery coatings that can be difficult to distinguish from other sulfate minerals without analytical testing.
Is this khademite?
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 khademite with a known reference. Khademite sits at Mohs 2.5-3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Khademite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Khademite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish-white, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: fibrous, powdery crusts.
Often confused with
Khademite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside khademite
Minerals reported to co-occur with khademite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Al(SO₄)F·5H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5-3
- Density
- 2.12 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Fibrous, Powdery Crusts
- Cleavage
- None Observed
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Hydrothermal Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find khademite
Classic worldwide localities
- Khadem mine, Iran
- Sierra Gorda, Chile
- Cabo de Gata, Spain
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of hydrothermal deposits country — that is the host setting where khademite typically forms. If you start seeing gypsum, alunite, jarosite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a fibrous, powdery crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find khademite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
