Kircherite is a rare mineral belonging to the cancrinite-sodalite group, characterized by its sulfate-rich structure. It is typically found in ejected volcanic blocks associated with alkaline rocks in the Vesuvius region of Italy, forming small, colorless to yellowish prismatic crystals.
Is this kircherite?
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 kircherite with a known reference. Kircherite sits at Mohs ~5.5, 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: greasy to silky.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Kircherite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside kircherite
Minerals reported to co-occur with kircherite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Na₅Ca₂K)(Si₆Al₆O₂₄)(SO₄)₂·0.33H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- ~5.5
- Density
- 2.42 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Greasy to silky
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic crystals
- Cleavage
- Good on {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A late-stage metasomatic phase within miarolitic cavities in volcanic ejecta
Where rockhounds find kircherite
Classic worldwide localities
- Valle Biachella, Sacrofano community, 20 km north of Rome, Latium, Italy
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A late-stage metasomatic phase within miarolitic cavities in volcanic ejecta. If you start seeing sodalite, biotite, iron oxides in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify kircherite?+
Where is kircherite found?+
What rocks look like kircherite?+
What minerals are found with kircherite?+
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What is kircherite used for?+
Find kircherite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
