Khaidarkanite is a rare copper-aluminum sulfate mineral known primarily from its type locality in Kyrgyzstan. It typically forms delicate, pale blue platy or micaceous crystals often coating other minerals in oxidized hydrothermal vein systems.
Is this khaidarkanite?
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 khaidarkanite with a known reference. Khaidarkanite 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. Khaidarkanite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Khaidarkanite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: blue, greenish-blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals, crusts, aggregates.
Often confused with
Khaidarkanite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Khaidarkanite leaves white, Devilline leaves pale blue; luster reads pearly on Khaidarkanite and vitreous on Devilline.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Khaidarkanite leaves white, Posnjakite leaves pale blue; luster reads pearly on Khaidarkanite and vitreous on Posnjakite.
Often found alongside khaidarkanite
Minerals reported to co-occur with khaidarkanite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₀.₃₅Cu₄Al₃(SO₄)₂(OH)₁₂·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 2.83 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Crusts, Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect in One Direction
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find khaidarkanite
Classic worldwide localities
- Khaidarkan antimony-mercury deposit, Kyrgyzstan
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where khaidarkanite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, fluorite, stibnite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, crusts, aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify khaidarkanite?+
Where is khaidarkanite found?+
How much is khaidarkanite worth?+
Is khaidarkanite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like khaidarkanite?+
What minerals are found with khaidarkanite?+
What kind of rock does khaidarkanite form in?+
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Find khaidarkanite on the map
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