Suseinargiuite is a rare hydrated sodium-calcium sulfate-carbonate mineral first discovered in the Su Seinargiu locality of Sardinia. It typically forms small, clear, tabular crystals in hydrothermal cavities and is highly sought after by systematic mineral collectors due to its extremely limited type-locality occurrence.
Is this suseinargiuite?
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 suseinargiuite with a known reference. Suseinargiuite sits at Mohs 2-3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Suseinargiuite leaves a yellowish-white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Suseinargiuite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, orange-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Suseinargiuite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside suseinargiuite
Minerals reported to co-occur with suseinargiuite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₂Ca₄(SO₄)₂(CO₃)₂(OH)₂·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 2.81 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellowish-white
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Alteration Zones in Volcanic Rocks
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find suseinargiuite
Classic worldwide localities
- Su Seinargiu, Sardinia, Italy
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal alteration zones in volcanic rocks country — that is the host setting where suseinargiuite typically forms. If you start seeing calcite, thaumasite, ettringite 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 suseinargiuite?+
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How much is suseinargiuite worth?+
What rocks look like suseinargiuite?+
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Find suseinargiuite on the map
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