Schairerite is a very rare sulfate mineral found almost exclusively in the extreme evaporite environments of Searles Lake, California. It typically forms sharp, transparent to translucent rhombohedral crystals that may be colorless or show a faint yellow tint. Due to its solubility in water, it must be stored in a dry, airtight environment to prevent dissolution or dehydration.
Is this schairerite?
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 schairerite with a known reference. Schairerite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Schairerite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Schairerite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: rhombohedral crystals.
Often confused with
Schairerite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside schairerite
Minerals reported to co-occur with schairerite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₂₁Mg(SO₄)₇F₆Cl
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 2.61 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Rhombohedral Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Evaporite Deposits in Saline Lake Beds
- Typical price
- $20-150 per specimen depending on crystal size and quality
Where rockhounds find schairerite
Classic worldwide localities
- Searles Lake, California, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in evaporite deposits in saline lake beds country — that is the host setting where schairerite typically forms. If you start seeing halite, thenardite, borax in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a rhombohedral crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find schairerite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
