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 5-5.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Potassiccarpholite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Potassiccarpholite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: acicular crystals, fibrous aggregates, radiating sprays.
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
- KLiAl₂Si₂O₆(OH)₄
- Mohs hardness
- 5-5.5
- Density
- 3.08 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular Crystals, Fibrous Aggregates, Radiating Sprays
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {110}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- High-pressure Low-temperature Metamorphic Rocks
- Typical price
- $20-100 for small specimen
Where rockhounds find potassiccarpholite
Classic worldwide localities
- Italy
- Czech Republic
- Germany
- Kazakhstan
Field-hunting tip
Look in high-pressure low-temperature metamorphic rocks country — that is the host setting where potassiccarpholite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, chlorite, albite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular crystals, fibrous aggregates, radiating sprays habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find potassiccarpholite on the map
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