Sbacchiite is a rare hydrated aluminum sulfate fluoride mineral found as an incrustation or in small tabular crystals within volcanic fumarole environments. It is identified primarily through X-ray diffraction due to its scarcity and similarity to other secondary sulfate minerals. Collectors typically find it in small quantities as a scientific curiosity from volcanic sites in Italy.
Is this sbacchiite?
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 sbacchiite with a known reference. Sbacchiite sits at Mohs 3-4, 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: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Sbacchiite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside sbacchiite
Minerals reported to co-occur with sbacchiite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₂AlF₇
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 3.08 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- As a high-temperature encrustation formed by the extraction of aluminum and calcium from the underlying rocks by HF activity around a volcanic fumarole
Where rockhounds find sbacchiite
Classic worldwide localities
- Grotta del Fumo, Campi Flegrei, Italy
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: As a high-temperature encrustation formed by the extraction of aluminum and calcium from the underlying rocks by HF activity around a volcanic fumarole. If you start seeing gearsksutite, usovite, creedite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify sbacchiite?+
Where is sbacchiite found?+
What rocks look like sbacchiite?+
What minerals are found with sbacchiite?+
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Find sbacchiite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
