Svyazhinite is a very rare magnesium aluminum sulfate mineral typically occurring as fragile, fibrous, or acicular crusts. It is most frequently identified in arid evaporite environments where it forms through the secondary alteration of aluminum-bearing minerals in the presence of sulfate-rich fluids.
Is this svyazhinite?
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 svyazhinite with a known reference. Svyazhinite sits at Mohs 2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Svyazhinite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Svyazhinite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: acicular crystals, fibrous, crusts.
Often confused with
Svyazhinite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside svyazhinite
Minerals reported to co-occur with svyazhinite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- MgAl(SO₄)₂(F,OH)·13H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 1.79 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular Crystals, Fibrous, Crusts
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Sedimentary Evaporite Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-100 micro to thumbnail specimens
Where rockhounds find svyazhinite
Classic worldwide localities
- Svyazhsk, Tatarstan, Russia
- various evaporite deposits
Field-hunting tip
Look in sedimentary evaporite deposits country — that is the host setting where svyazhinite typically forms. If you start seeing gypsum, epsomite, halotrichite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular crystals, fibrous, crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify svyazhinite?+
Where is svyazhinite found?+
How much is svyazhinite worth?+
What rocks look like svyazhinite?+
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Find svyazhinite on the map
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