Mereiterite is a rare potassium iron sulfate typically found as an oxidation product of sulfide minerals in mine workings. It usually occurs as fragile, colorless to white prismatic crystals or as efflorescent crusts, requiring careful handling due to its solubility in water.
Is this mereiterite?
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 mereiterite with a known reference. Mereiterite sits at Mohs 2.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Mereiterite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Mereiterite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, yellowish-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, crusts, efflorescent aggregates.
Often confused with
Mereiterite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside mereiterite
Minerals reported to co-occur with mereiterite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- K₂Fe²⁺(SO₄)₂·4H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 2.16 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Crusts, Efflorescent Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Good On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Hydrothermal Sulfate Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-100 per specimen
Where rockhounds find mereiterite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kutná Hora, Czech Republic
- Schneeberg, Germany
- Jáchymov, Czech Republic
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized hydrothermal sulfate deposits country — that is the host setting where mereiterite typically forms. If you start seeing melanterite, rozenite, gypsum in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, crusts, efflorescent aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find mereiterite on the map
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