Yavapaiite is a rare potassium iron sulfate typically found as an oxidation product in mine dumps or as a fumarolic deposit. It usually occurs as small, delicate tabular crystals or thin crusts, often associated with other iron-bearing sulfates.
Is this yavapaiite?
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 yavapaiite with a known reference. Yavapaiite sits at Mohs 2.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Yavapaiite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Yavapaiite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, yellowish.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals or crusts.
Often confused with
Yavapaiite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside yavapaiite
Minerals reported to co-occur with yavapaiite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- KFe(SO₄)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 2.66 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals or Crusts
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Fumarolic Environments or Mine Dumps Where Sulfate Minerals Form
- Typical price
- $20-150 for small specimens
Where rockhounds find yavapaiite
Classic worldwide localities
- United Verde Mine, Jerome, Arizona
- Fumaroles of Mount Vesuvius, Italy
Field-hunting tip
Look in fumarolic environments or mine dumps where sulfate minerals form country — that is the host setting where yavapaiite typically forms. If you start seeing copiapite, rozenite, jarosite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals or crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify yavapaiite?+
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Find yavapaiite on the map
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