Shuvalovite is a rare potassium calcium sodium sulfate, typically colorless. It was approved as a distinct mineral species in 2014. It was first described from the Arsenatnaya fumarole, Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Shuvalovite

Hardness: ~3
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

No image

Is this shuvalovite?

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 shuvalovite with a known reference. Shuvalovite sits at Mohs ~3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Wollastonite

Mohs 4.5-5

How to tell apart: Wollastonite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.5-5 vs. ~3).

How to tell apart: Pectolite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.5-5 vs. ~3); luster reads vitreous on Shuvalovite and silky, subvitreous on Pectolite.

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Often found alongside shuvalovite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: K₂(Ca₂Na)(SO₄)₃F
Mohs hardness: ~3
Density: 2.641 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Tabular crystals
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: As crusts on scoria around a volcanic fumarole, probably through gas-rock interaction with basalt as a source of metals

Where rockhounds find shuvalovite

Classic worldwide localities

Arsenatnaya fumarole, Second scoria cone, Northern Breakthrough of the Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption, Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: As crusts on scoria around a volcanic fumarole, probably through gas-rock interaction with basalt as a source of metals. If you start seeing tenorite, hematite, orthoclase 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 shuvalovite?+

Mohs hardness is ~3. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless.

Where is shuvalovite found?+

Notable localities include Arsenatnaya fumarole, Second scoria cone, Northern Breakthrough of the Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption, Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia.

What rocks look like shuvalovite?+

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

What minerals are found with shuvalovite?+

Shuvalovite commonly co-occurs with Tenorite, Hematite, Orthoclase, Fluorophlogopite, Langbeinite, Aphthitalite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does shuvalovite form in?+

Where it forms: As crusts on scoria around a volcanic fumarole, probably through gas-rock interaction with basalt as a source of metals. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is shuvalovite used for?+

Shuvalovite is used in collector.

Find shuvalovite on the map

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