Murchisite is a rare evaporite mineral found within the saline beds of the Green River Formation. It typically occurs as small, delicate tabular crystals associated with other sodium carbonate minerals in closed-basin lacustrine environments.

Hardness

2.5-3

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrareTrona family

Murchisite

Hardness: 2.5-3
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

No image

Is this murchisite?

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 murchisite with a known reference. Murchisite sits at Mohs 2.5-3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Murchisite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Murchisite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, colorless, gray.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.

Often confused with

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

How to tell apart: Murchisite is noticeably harder (Mohs 2.5-3 vs. 1-1.5).

Compare →

Often found alongside murchisite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Na₂CO₃·NaHCO₃·2H₂O
Mohs hardness: 2.5-3
Density: 2.14 g/cm³
Colors: White Colorless Gray
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals
Cleavage: Perfect
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Evaporite Deposits
Typical price: $20-100 thumbnail

Where rockhounds find murchisite

Classic worldwide localities

Green River Formation, Wyoming, USA

Field-hunting tip

Look in evaporite deposits country — that is the host setting where murchisite typically forms. If you start seeing trona, nahcolite, halite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify murchisite?+

Mohs hardness is 2.5-3. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include white, colorless, gray.

Where is murchisite found?+

Notable localities include Green River Formation, Wyoming, USA.

How much is murchisite worth?+

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

What rocks look like murchisite?+

Murchisite is most often confused with Trona, Nahcolite, Natron. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with murchisite?+

Murchisite commonly co-occurs with Trona, Nahcolite, Halite, Shortite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does murchisite form in?+

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

What is murchisite used for?+

Murchisite is used in collector.

Find murchisite on the map

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