Potassiccarpholite is a rare sorosilicate mineral that typically forms as delicate, radiating acicular sprays in metamorphic environments. It is most easily identified by its distinctive straw-yellow color and fibrous appearance, often occurring within quartz-rich schists.
Is this potassiccarpholite?
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 potassiccarpholite with a known reference. Potassiccarpholite sits at Mohs ~5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: silky.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, straw yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: acicular, radial, tuft.
Often confused with
Potassiccarpholite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside potassiccarpholite
Minerals reported to co-occur with potassiccarpholite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- K(MnLi)Al₄Si₄O₁₂(OH)₈
- Mohs hardness
- ~5
- Density
- 3.08 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Silky
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular, radial, tuft
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Lining miarolitic cavities in microcline in granite
Where rockhounds find potassiccarpholite
Classic worldwide localities
- Sawtooth batholith in the Fall Creek drainage, in the vicinity of Glens Peak, Boise County, Idaho, USA
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Lining miarolitic cavities in microcline in granite. If you start seeing quartz, albite, beryl in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: acicular, radial, tuft. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify potassiccarpholite?+
Where is potassiccarpholite found?+
What rocks look like potassiccarpholite?+
What minerals are found with potassiccarpholite?+
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What is potassiccarpholite used for?+
Find potassiccarpholite on the map
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