Aqualite is a rare sodium potassium strontium silicate, typically pale pink. It occurs in a hydrothermally altered perakaline pegmatite in an alkaline massif. It was first described from Inagli massif, ~30 km ESE of Aldan, Sakha Republic, Russia.
Is this aqualite?
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 aqualite with a known reference. Aqualite sits at Mohs 4-5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Aqualite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Aqualite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pale pink.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: equant crystals.
Often confused with
Aqualite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Grossularite Garnet is the harder of the two (Mohs 6.5-7.5 vs. 4-5).
How to tell apart: Andradite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6.5-7.5 vs. 4-5); luster reads vitreous on Aqualite and adamantine to resinous to dull on Andradite.
Often found alongside aqualite
Minerals reported to co-occur with aqualite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (H₃O)₈(Na,K,Sr)₅Ca₆Zr₃Si₂₆O₆₆(OH)₉Cl
- Mohs hardness
- 4-5
- Density
- 2.58 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Equant Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Igneous Rocks
Where rockhounds find aqualite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline igneous rocks country, the host setting where aqualite typically forms. If you start seeing eudialyte, aegirine, nepheline in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a equant crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify aqualite?+
Where is aqualite found?+
What rocks look like aqualite?+
What minerals are found with aqualite?+
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What is aqualite used for?+
Find aqualite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
