Suhailite is a rare member of the mica group, chemically very similar to muscovite. It is primarily found as thin, platy, and transparent sheets within pegmatite deposits, often prized by advanced mineral collectors for its locality-specific classification.

Hardness

2.5-3

Mohs

Luster

Pearly

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrareMica Group family

Suhailite

Hardness: 2.5-3
Luster: Pearly
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

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Is this suhailite?

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 suhailite with a known reference. Suhailite sits at Mohs 2.5-3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Suhailite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Suhailite typically shows a pearly luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, white, pale yellow.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals.

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside suhailite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: KAl₂[AlSi₃O₁₀](OH)₂
Mohs hardness: 2.5-3
Density: 2.9-3.1 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless White Pale Yellow
Streak: White
Luster: Pearly
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Platy Crystals
Cleavage: Perfect Basal
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Pegmatites
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find suhailite

Classic worldwide localities

Suhail region, Tajikistan

Field-hunting tip

Look in pegmatites country — that is the host setting where suhailite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, feldspar, tourmaline in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify suhailite?+

Mohs hardness is 2.5-3. It typically shows a pearly luster. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, white, pale yellow.

Where is suhailite found?+

Notable localities include Suhail region, Tajikistan.

How much is suhailite 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 suhailite?+

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

What minerals are found with suhailite?+

Suhailite commonly co-occurs with Quartz, Feldspar, Tourmaline. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does suhailite form in?+

Suhailite typically forms in pegmatites. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is suhailite used for?+

Suhailite is used in collector.

Find suhailite on the map

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