Zirklerite is a rare magnesium-aluminum chloride hydroxide typically found in evaporite salt deposits. It is known primarily from the Wathlingen potash mines in Germany, where it occurs as delicate tabular crystals or massive aggregates. Collectors value it for its unusual chemical composition and limited locality availability.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Pearly

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrare

Zirklerite

Hardness: 2
Luster: Pearly
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

Is this zirklerite?

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 zirklerite with a known reference. Zirklerite 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. Zirklerite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Zirklerite typically shows a pearly luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, colorless, yellowish.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, granular.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Talmessite

Mohs 5

How to tell apart: Talmessite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5 vs. 2); luster reads pearly on Zirklerite and vitreous on Talmessite.

Often found alongside zirklerite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: (Mg,Fe,Mn)Al₄Cl(OH)₁₂·6H₂O
Mohs hardness: 2
Density: 2.44 g/cm³
Colors: White Colorless Yellowish
Streak: White
Luster: Pearly
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals, Massive, Granular
Cleavage: Perfect
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Potash Salt Deposits
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find zirklerite

Classic worldwide localities

Wathlingen, Lower Saxony, Germany

Field-hunting tip

Look in potash salt deposits country — that is the host setting where zirklerite typically forms. If you start seeing carnallite, halite, sylvite 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

How do you identify zirklerite?+

Mohs hardness is 2. It typically shows a pearly luster. The streak is white. Common colors include white, colorless, yellowish.

Where is zirklerite found?+

Notable localities include Wathlingen, Lower Saxony, Germany.

How much is zirklerite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like zirklerite?+

Zirklerite is most often confused with Talmessite, Brucite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with zirklerite?+

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

What kind of rock does zirklerite form in?+

Zirklerite typically forms in potash salt deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is zirklerite used for?+

Zirklerite is used in collector.

Find zirklerite on the map

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