Kyrgyzstanite is a rare sulfate mineral typically found as delicate, pearly-yellow platy crystals or crusts. It is most famously associated with the mercury mines in the Khaydarkan district of Kyrgyzstan, where it forms in oxidized zones.
Is this kyrgyzstanite?
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 kyrgyzstanite with a known reference. Kyrgyzstanite 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. Kyrgyzstanite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Kyrgyzstanite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals, crusts.
Often confused with
Kyrgyzstanite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside kyrgyzstanite
Minerals reported to co-occur with kyrgyzstanite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- ZnAl₂(SO₄)₄·22H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 2.16 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Crusts
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find kyrgyzstanite
Classic worldwide localities
- Khaydarkan, Kyrgyzstan
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where kyrgyzstanite typically forms. If you start seeing cinnabar, quartz, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify kyrgyzstanite?+
Where is kyrgyzstanite found?+
How much is kyrgyzstanite worth?+
What rocks look like kyrgyzstanite?+
What minerals are found with kyrgyzstanite?+
What kind of rock does kyrgyzstanite form in?+
What is kyrgyzstanite used for?+
Find kyrgyzstanite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
