Krausite is a rare potassium iron sulfate mineral that forms distinct, yellow, tabular monoclinic crystals. It is typically found in hyper-arid environments as a secondary mineral resulting from the alteration of iron-bearing sulfides. Collectors prize it for its rarity and its association with other colorful sulfate minerals.
Is this krausite?
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 krausite with a known reference. Krausite sits at Mohs 2.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Krausite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Krausite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brownish-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Krausite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside krausite
Minerals reported to co-occur with krausite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- KFe(SO₄)₂(H₂O)
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 2.83 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Arid Evaporite Deposits and Oxidized Zones of Sulfate-rich Mineral Environments
- Typical price
- $50-300+ for specimen quality
Where rockhounds find krausite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kramer deposit, Boron, California, USA
- Cerro Pintados, Tarapaca, Chile
Field-hunting tip
Look in arid evaporite deposits and oxidized zones of sulfate-rich mineral environments country — that is the host setting where krausite typically forms. If you start seeing jarosite, coquimbite, copiapite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify krausite?+
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How much is krausite worth?+
What rocks look like krausite?+
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Find krausite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
