Sulphohalite is a rare sulfate-halide mineral found primarily in arid, high-salinity evaporite environments. Collectors look for its characteristic sharp, dodecahedral crystals often associated with halite and other alkaline salts in dried lake beds.

Hardness

3.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Sulphohalite

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

Is this sulphohalite?

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 sulphohalite with a known reference. Sulphohalite sits at Mohs 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. Sulphohalite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Sulphohalite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, white, yellow, pale green.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: isometric. Typical habit: dodecahedral crystals, massive.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Halite

Mohs 2.5

How to tell apart: Sulphohalite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2.5).

Often found alongside sulphohalite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Na₆(SO₄)₂FCl
Mohs hardness: 3.5
Density: 2.57 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless White Yellow Pale Green
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Isometric
Crystal habit: Dodecahedral Crystals, Massive
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 clarity

Where rockhounds find sulphohalite

Classic worldwide localities

Searles Lake, California, USA
Salton Sea, California, USA
Lake Natron, Tanzania
Kola Peninsula, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Look in evaporite deposits in saline lake beds country, the host setting where sulphohalite typically forms. If you start seeing halite, thenardite, borax in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a dodecahedral crystals, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify sulphohalite?+

Mohs hardness is 3.5. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, white, yellow, pale green.

Where is sulphohalite found?+

Notable localities include Searles Lake, California, USA; Salton Sea, California, USA; Lake Natron, Tanzania; Kola Peninsula, Russia.

How much is sulphohalite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $20-150 per specimen depending on crystal size and clarity. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like sulphohalite?+

Sulphohalite is most often confused with Halite, Thenardite, Aphthitalite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with sulphohalite?+

Sulphohalite commonly co-occurs with Halite, Thenardite, Borax, Trona, Aphthitalite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does sulphohalite form in?+

Sulphohalite typically forms in evaporite deposits in saline lake beds. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is sulphohalite used for?+

Sulphohalite is used in collector.

Find sulphohalite on the map

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