Palygorskite is a unique phyllosilicate mineral characterized by its distinctive leather-like or cork-like fibrous texture. Collectors often find it in layered, matted masses within sedimentary clay beds where it forms via chemical precipitation in saline environments.
Is this palygorskite?
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 palygorskite with a known reference. Palygorskite sits at Mohs 2-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Palygorskite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Palygorskite typically shows a dull luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, gray, yellowish-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: fibrous, massive, or felted mat-like masses.
Often confused with
Palygorskite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside palygorskite
Minerals reported to co-occur with palygorskite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mg₅Si₈O₂₀(OH)₂·8H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 2.0-2.3 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Dull
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Fibrous, Massive, Or Felted Mat-like Masses
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Industrial, Collector, Drilling Mud Additive
- Host rock
- Sedimentary Clay Deposits and Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $5-30 per specimen
Where rockhounds find palygorskite
Classic worldwide localities
- Attapulgus, Georgia, USA
- Spain
- Senegal
- China
- Turkey
Field-hunting tip
Look in sedimentary clay deposits and hydrothermal veins country, the host setting where palygorskite typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, dolomite, montmorillonite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a fibrous, massive, or felted mat-like masses habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify palygorskite?+
Where is palygorskite found?+
How much is palygorskite worth?+
What rocks look like palygorskite?+
What minerals are found with palygorskite?+
What kind of rock does palygorskite form in?+
What is palygorskite used for?+
Find palygorskite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
