Lasalite is a rare hydrated sodium magnesium vanadate that typically forms as an efflorescent crust in oxidized vanadium-bearing sandstone deposits. Collectors should look for characteristic yellowish, secondary coatings in arid environments, often requiring magnification for accurate identification due to their delicate habit.
Is this lasalite?
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 lasalite with a known reference. Lasalite sits at Mohs 1-2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Lasalite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Lasalite typically shows a vitreous to dull luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brownish-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: crusts, efflorescent coatings, granular aggregates.
Often confused with
Lasalite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Lasalite leaves white, Pascoite leaves yellow; luster reads vitreous to dull on Lasalite and vitreous on Pascoite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Lasalite leaves white, Sherwoodite leaves light blue; luster reads vitreous to dull on Lasalite and vitreous on Sherwoodite.
Often found alongside lasalite
Minerals reported to co-occur with lasalite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₂Mg₂V₁₀O₂₈·16H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 1-2
- Density
- 1.7-1.8 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous to Dull
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Crusts, Efflorescent Coatings, Granular Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None Observed
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Sandstone Hosted Uranium-vanadium Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-150 thumbnail
Where rockhounds find lasalite
Classic worldwide localities
- La Sal district, Utah, USA
- Paradox Valley, Colorado, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in sandstone hosted uranium-vanadium deposits country — that is the host setting where lasalite typically forms. If you start seeing carnotite, gypsum, pascoite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a crusts, efflorescent coatings, granular aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find lasalite on the map
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