Saranchinaite is a very rare copper sulfate mineral discovered in the volcanic fumaroles of the Tolbachik volcano. It typically occurs as small, pale yellow tabular crystals formed through high-temperature volcanic gas sublimation.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Saranchinaite

Hardness: 2
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

No image

Is this saranchinaite?

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

Often confused with

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

mineral

Euchlorine

Mohs 3

How to tell apart: Euchlorine is the harder of the two (Mohs 3 vs. 2); streak differs, so Saranchinaite leaves white, Euchlorine leaves pale green.

Often found alongside saranchinaite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Na₂Cu(SO₄)₂
Mohs hardness: 2
Density: 2.79 g/cm³
Colors: Yellow Pale Yellow
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Triclinic
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals
Cleavage: Perfect
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Fumarole Deposits
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find saranchinaite

Classic worldwide localities

Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Look in fumarole deposits country, the host setting where saranchinaite typically forms. If you start seeing thenardite, doloresite, fedotovite 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 saranchinaite?+

Mohs hardness is 2. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include yellow, pale yellow.

Where is saranchinaite found?+

Notable localities include Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia.

How much is saranchinaite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like saranchinaite?+

Saranchinaite is most often confused with Euchlorine, Chalcocyanite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with saranchinaite?+

Saranchinaite commonly co-occurs with Thenardite, Doloresite, Fedotovite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does saranchinaite form in?+

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

What is saranchinaite used for?+

Saranchinaite is used in collector.

Find saranchinaite on the map

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