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, 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.
