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: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals, aggregates, rosettes.

Often confused with

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

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: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Platy Crystals, Aggregates, Rosettes
Cleavage: Perfect
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Evaporite Deposits in Saline Alkaline Lakes
Typical price: $20-100 per specimen

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 — that is 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.

How much is magadiite 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 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.