Vendidaite is an extremely rare aluminum sulfate mineral found primarily in arid, oxidized mineral environments. It typically occurs as thin crusts or granular aggregates, often identified by its distinct yellowish color and association with other secondary sulfate minerals. Due to its rarity, it is almost exclusively sought after by advanced systematic mineral collectors.
Is this vendidaite?
4-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 vendidaite with a known reference. Vendidaite sits at Mohs 2-2.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 3Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white in aggregates.
- 4Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: crusts, granular.
Often confused with
Vendidaite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside vendidaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with vendidaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Al₂(SO₄)(OH)₃ Cl·6H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2-2.5
- Density
- 1.97 g/cm³
- Colors
- ColorlessWhite in aggregates
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Crusts, granular
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A secondary mineral in a weathered copper sulfide deposit
Where rockhounds find vendidaite
Classic worldwide localities
- La Vendida mine, 3 km WNW of Sierra Gorda, Antofagasta Region, Atacama desert, Chile
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A secondary mineral in a weathered copper sulfide deposit. If you start seeing aubertite, magnesioaubertite, belloite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: crusts, granular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify vendidaite?+
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What rocks look like vendidaite?+
What minerals are found with vendidaite?+
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Find vendidaite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
