Akdalaite is a rare aluminum oxide mineral found in hydrothermal deposits. It is typically identified by its hexagonal platy habit and white color, often occurring alongside other aluminum-bearing phases.

Hardness

7-7.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous to porcelaneous

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrare

Akdalaite

Hardness: 7-7.5
Luster: Vitreous to porcelaneous
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

Is this akdalaite?

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 akdalaite with a known reference. Akdalaite sits at Mohs 7-7.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous to porcelaneous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: tabular.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Diaspore

Mohs 6.5-7

How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous to porcelaneous on Akdalaite and adamantine, vitreous, pearly on cleavage faces on Diaspore.

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Often found alongside akdalaite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Al₁₀O₁₄(OH)₂
Mohs hardness: 7-7.5
Density: 3.68 g/cm³
Colors: White
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous to porcelaneous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Hexagonal
Crystal habit: Tabular
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In veinlets cutting amesite-fluorite-muscovite rock and fluorite-magnetite-diopside-vesuvianite skarn

Where rockhounds find akdalaite

Classic worldwide localities

Solnech fluorite deposit, two km west of the Kara-Oba Mo–W deposit, Bet-Pak-Dal Desert, central Kazakhstan

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In veinlets cutting amesite-fluorite-muscovite rock and fluorite-magnetite-diopside-vesuvianite skarn. If you start seeing muscovite, fluorite, amesite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify akdalaite?+

Mohs hardness is 7-7.5. Luster: vitreous to porcelaneous. The streak is white. Common colors include white.

Where is akdalaite found?+

Notable localities include Solnech fluorite deposit, two km west of the Kara-Oba Mo–W deposit, Bet-Pak-Dal Desert, central Kazakhstan.

What rocks look like akdalaite?+

Akdalaite is most often confused with Diaspore. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with akdalaite?+

Akdalaite commonly co-occurs with Muscovite, Fluorite, Amesite, Magnetite, Diopside, Vesuvianite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does akdalaite form in?+

Where it forms: In veinlets cutting amesite-fluorite-muscovite rock and fluorite-magnetite-diopside-vesuvianite skarn. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is akdalaite used for?+

Akdalaite is used in collector.

Find akdalaite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.