Leonite is a rare potassium-magnesium sulfate that typically forms in marine evaporite beds. It is often found as clear to white tabular crystals or as massive, granular crusts that are highly soluble in water and should be kept in a dry, sealed environment to prevent dehydration.
Is this leonite?
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 leonite with a known reference. Leonite sits at Mohs 3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Leonite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Leonite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, granular.
Often confused with
Leonite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside leonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with leonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- K₂Mg(SO₄)₂·4H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 2.25 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Massive, Granular
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {001}
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Mineralogical Study
- Host rock
- Marine Evaporite Deposits
- Typical price
- $10-50 per specimen
Where rockhounds find leonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Westeregeln, Germany
- Kalusz, Poland
- Stebnyk, Ukraine
- Carlsbad, New Mexico, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in marine evaporite deposits country — that is the host setting where leonite typically forms. If you start seeing halite, sylvite, kainite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find leonite on the map
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