Wegscheiderite is a rare sodium carbonate mineral typically found in the evaporite deposits of the Green River Formation. It usually occurs as massive to granular aggregates or distinct tabular crystals in association with other rare evaporite species.
Is this wegscheiderite?
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 wegscheiderite with a known reference. Wegscheiderite sits at Mohs 3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Wegscheiderite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Wegscheiderite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, granular.
Often confused with
Wegscheiderite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside wegscheiderite
Minerals reported to co-occur with wegscheiderite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₅(CO₃)(HCO₃)₃
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 2.16 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Massive, Granular
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Evaporite Deposits in Lacustrine Shales
- Typical price
- $20-100 per specimen
Where rockhounds find wegscheiderite
Classic worldwide localities
- Green River Formation, Wyoming, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in evaporite deposits in lacustrine shales country — that is the host setting where wegscheiderite typically forms. If you start seeing trona, nahcolite, shortite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find wegscheiderite on the map
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