Sylvite is a primary source of potash and typically forms in salt deposits as a result of the evaporation of seawater. It is very similar to halite but can often be distinguished by its bitter, salty taste and its tendency to be slightly more brittle or have a different cleavage pattern when observed under magnification.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralcommon

Sylvite

Also: Potash

Hardness: 2
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this sylvite?

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 sylvite with a known reference. Sylvite sits at Mohs 2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Sylvite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Sylvite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, colorless, red, orange, blue.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: cubic. Typical habit: cubic crystals, hoppered crystals, massive, granular.

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside sylvite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: KCl
Mohs hardness: 2
Density: 1.99 g/cm³
Colors: White Colorless Red Orange Blue
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Cubic
Crystal habit: Cubic Crystals, Hoppered Crystals, Massive, Granular
Cleavage: Perfect Cubic
Rarity: Common
Uses: Fertilizer, Industrial, Collector
Host rock: Evaporite Deposits
Typical price: $10-50 per specimen

Where rockhounds find sylvite

5 mapped spots

Classic worldwide localities

Stassfurt, Germany
Carlsbad, USA
Solikamsk, Russia
Kalush, Ukraine
Saskatchewan, Canada

Field-hunting tip

Look in evaporite deposits country — that is the host setting where sylvite typically forms. If you start seeing halite, carnallite, kieserite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a cubic crystals, hoppered crystals, massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Utah, Nevada — start trip planning there.

Browse 5 U.S. spots for sylvite →

Common questions

How do you identify sylvite?+

Mohs hardness is 2. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include white, colorless, red, orange.

Where is sylvite found?+

Notable localities include Stassfurt, Germany; Carlsbad, USA; Solikamsk, Russia; Kalush, Ukraine; Saskatchewan, Canada.

Can I find sylvite in the United States?+

RockHoundR maps 5 sylvite rockhounding spots across 2 U.S. states — the top states are Utah, Nevada.

How much is sylvite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $10-50 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like sylvite?+

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

What minerals are found with sylvite?+

Sylvite commonly co-occurs with Halite, Carnallite, Kieserite, Anhydrite, Gypsum. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does sylvite form in?+

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

What is sylvite used for?+

Sylvite is used in fertilizer, industrial, collector.

Find sylvite on the map

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