Letovicite is a rare ammonium sulfate mineral primarily found in coal fire zones or fumarolic environments. It typically forms as delicate tabular crystals or crusts, and because it is highly water-soluble, collectors must store it in low-humidity environments to prevent dissolution.
Is this letovicite?
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 letovicite with a known reference. Letovicite 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. Letovicite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Letovicite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, yellowish, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, crusts, efflorescences.
Often confused with
Letovicite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside letovicite
Minerals reported to co-occur with letovicite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (NH₄)₃H(SO₄)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 1.58 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Crusts, Efflorescences
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {100}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Burning Coal Dumps, Fumaroles
- Typical price
- $20-100 for small specimens
Where rockhounds find letovicite
Classic worldwide localities
- Letovice, Czech Republic
- Ghazipur, India
- Various coal mine fires
Field-hunting tip
Look in burning coal dumps, fumaroles country — that is the host setting where letovicite typically forms. If you start seeing mascagnite, tschermigite, sulphur in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, crusts, efflorescences habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find letovicite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
