Rossiantonite is a rare hydrous aluminum sulfate mineral typically occurring as fragile, fibrous colorless crusts or efflorescences in mine environments. It is a secondary mineral formed through the oxidation of sulfides, often found in association with other sulfate minerals in abandoned mine workings. Due to its solubility and delicate nature, it is primarily of interest to advanced micromineral collectors.
Is this rossiantonite?
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 rossiantonite with a known reference. Rossiantonite sits at Mohs 2, 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: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: fibrous aggregates.
Often confused with
Rossiantonite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside rossiantonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with rossiantonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Al₃(PO₄)(SO₄)₂(OH)₂·14H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 1.958 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Fibrous aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Fluorescence
- Fluoresces dim green under UV
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- mining waste dumps and altered argillaceous rocks
Where rockhounds find rossiantonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Akopan-Dal Cin cave system, Akopan Tepui, Chimanta massif, Canaima National Park, Venezuela
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: mining waste dumps and altered argillaceous rocks. If you start seeing gypsum, sanjuanite, alunite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: fibrous aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify rossiantonite?+
Where is rossiantonite found?+
What rocks look like rossiantonite?+
What minerals are found with rossiantonite?+
What kind of rock does rossiantonite form in?+
What is rossiantonite used for?+
Find rossiantonite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
