Steklite is an extremely rare potassium aluminum sulfate mineral found primarily in fumarolic deposits. It is known to occur as thin, transparent, tabular crystals associated with other secondary sulfate minerals at active volcanic sites.

Hardness

3-3.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrareAlunite Group family

Steklite

Hardness: 3-3.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this steklite?

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 steklite with a known reference. Steklite sits at Mohs 3-3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Steklite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Steklite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, white, grayish.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.

Often confused with

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

How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Steklite and dull on Millosevichite.

Compare →

Often found alongside steklite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: KAl(SO₄)₂
Mohs hardness: 3-3.5
Density: 2.81 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless White Grayish
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals
Cleavage: Good
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Fumarolic Deposits
Typical price: $50-500 thumbnail

Where rockhounds find steklite

Classic worldwide localities

Tolbachik volcano, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Look in fumarolic deposits country — that is the host setting where steklite typically forms. If you start seeing millosevichite, piypite, langbeinite 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 steklite?+

Mohs hardness is 3-3.5. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, white, grayish.

Where is steklite found?+

Notable localities include Tolbachik volcano, Russia.

How much is steklite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-500 thumbnail. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like steklite?+

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

What minerals are found with steklite?+

Steklite commonly co-occurs with Millosevichite, Piypite, Langbeinite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does steklite form in?+

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

What is steklite used for?+

Steklite is used in collector.

Find steklite on the map

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