Magadiite is a rare layered silicate mineral primarily found in hypersaline, alkaline lake environments like the Lake Magadi basin. It typically forms delicate white, platy, or rosette-like crystal aggregates that can be visually distinguished by their association with evaporite minerals.

Hardness

1-2

Mohs

Luster

Pearly

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrare

Magadiite

Hardness: 1-2
Luster: Pearly
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

Is this magadiite?

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 magadiite with a known reference. Magadiite sits at Mohs 1-2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Magadiite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Magadiite typically shows a pearly luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, colorless.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: platy crystals, aggregates, rosettes.

Often confused with

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

How to tell apart: Kanemite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4 vs. 1-2); luster reads pearly on Magadiite and silky on Kanemite.

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Often found alongside magadiite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: NaSi₇O₁₃(OH)₃·3H₂O
Mohs hardness: 1-2
Density: 2.1 g/cm³
Colors: White Colorless
Streak: White
Luster: Pearly
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Platy Crystals, Aggregates, Rosettes
Cleavage: Perfect
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Evaporite Deposits in Saline Alkaline Lakes

Where rockhounds find magadiite

Classic worldwide localities

Lake Magadi, Kenya
Searles Lake, California, USA
Altiplano, Bolivia

Field-hunting tip

Look in evaporite deposits in saline alkaline lakes country, the host setting where magadiite typically forms. If you start seeing trona, halite, kanemite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, aggregates, rosettes habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify magadiite?+

Mohs hardness is 1-2. It typically shows a pearly luster. The streak is white. Common colors include white, colorless.

Where is magadiite found?+

Notable localities include Lake Magadi, Kenya; Searles Lake, California, USA; Altiplano, Bolivia.

What rocks look like magadiite?+

Magadiite is most often confused with Kenyaite, Kanemite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with magadiite?+

Magadiite commonly co-occurs with trona, halite, kanemite, kenyaite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does magadiite form in?+

Magadiite typically forms in evaporite deposits in saline alkaline lakes. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is magadiite used for?+

Magadiite is used in collector.

Find magadiite on the map

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