Löweite is a rare sodium-magnesium sulfate mineral found primarily in marine salt deposits. It typically forms as colorless to yellowish tabular crystals or massive aggregates within evaporite sequences.

Hardness

3.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Löweite

Hardness: 3.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this löweite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch löweite with a known reference. Löweite sits at Mohs 3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Löweite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Löweite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, yellow, colorless.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, granular.

Often confused with

Löweite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

Often found alongside löweite

Minerals reported to co-occur with löweite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Na₁₂Mg₇(SO₄)₁₃·15H₂O
Mohs hardness: 3.5
Density: 2.38 g/cm³
Colors: White Yellow Colorless
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals, Massive, Granular
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Marine Evaporite Deposits
Typical price: $20-100 per specimen

Where rockhounds find löweite

Classic worldwide localities

Bad Ischl, Austria
Stassfurt, Germany
Westeregeln, Germany
Kalush, Ukraine

Field-hunting tip

Look in marine evaporite deposits country, the host setting where löweite typically forms. If you start seeing halite, polyhalite, bloedite 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

How do you identify löweite?+

Mohs hardness is 3.5. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include white, yellow, colorless.

Where is löweite found?+

Notable localities include Bad Ischl, Austria; Stassfurt, Germany; Westeregeln, Germany; Kalush, Ukraine.

How much is löweite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $20-100 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like löweite?+

Löweite is most often confused with Bloedite, Vanthoffite, Thenardite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with löweite?+

Löweite commonly co-occurs with Halite, Polyhalite, Bloedite, Kieserite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does löweite form in?+

Löweite typically forms in marine evaporite deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is löweite used for?+

Löweite is used in collector.

Find löweite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.