Volkovskite is a rare potassium-calcium borate mineral typically found in marine evaporite sequences. Collectors should look for its characteristic clear to white platy crystals, which are often found associated with salt and potash minerals.
Is this volkovskite?
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 volkovskite with a known reference. Volkovskite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Volkovskite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Volkovskite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, gray, yellowish.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: platy, tabular crystals or radiating aggregates.
Often confused with
Volkovskite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside volkovskite
Minerals reported to co-occur with volkovskite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- KCa₃B₁₁O₁₉(OH)₄Cl
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 2.35 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy, Tabular Crystals or Radiating Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Evaporite Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-150 for micro-mounts and small crystals
Where rockhounds find volkovskite
Classic worldwide localities
- Inder B deposit, Kazakhstan
- Salt Range, Pakistan
Field-hunting tip
Look in evaporite deposits country — that is the host setting where volkovskite typically forms. If you start seeing halite, sylvite, carnallite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy, tabular crystals or radiating aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find volkovskite on the map
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