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 — 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 — that is 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

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.