Clinoungemachite is a rare potassium sodium iron sulfate that forms colorless to pale yellow as minute thick tabular pseudorhombohedral crystals. It was approved as a distinct mineral species in 1938. It was first described from Chuquicamata, Antofagasta, Chile.

Hardness

2.5-3

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

Yellow

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Clinoungemachite

Hardness: 2.5-3
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: Yellow
Transparency: Transparent

Is this clinoungemachite?

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 clinoungemachite with a known reference. Clinoungemachite sits at Mohs 2.5-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Clinoungemachite leaves a yellow streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Clinoungemachite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, pale yellow.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: as minute thick tabular pseudorhombohedral crystals.

Often confused with

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

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Clinoungemachite leaves yellow, Ungemachite leaves white.

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Clinoungemachite leaves yellow, Bottinoite leaves very pale blue.

Compare →

Often found alongside clinoungemachite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: K₃Na₈Fe³⁺(SO₄)₆(OH)₂·10H₂O
Mohs hardness: 2.5-3
Density: 6.8-7.2 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless Pale Yellow
Streak: Yellow
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: As Minute Thick Tabular Pseudorhombohedral Crystals
Cleavage: Perfect
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Oxidized Tellurium-bearing Ore Deposits

Where rockhounds find clinoungemachite

Classic worldwide localities

Ungemach mine, Chile

Field-hunting tip

Look in oxidized tellurium-bearing ore deposits country, the host setting where clinoungemachite typically forms. If you start seeing ungemachite, quetzalcoatlite, leisingite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a as minute thick tabular pseudorhombohedral crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify clinoungemachite?+

Mohs hardness is 2.5-3. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is yellow. Common colors include colorless, pale yellow.

Where is clinoungemachite found?+

Notable localities include Ungemach mine, Chile.

What rocks look like clinoungemachite?+

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

What minerals are found with clinoungemachite?+

Clinoungemachite commonly co-occurs with Ungemachite, Quetzalcoatlite, Leisingite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does clinoungemachite form in?+

Clinoungemachite typically forms in oxidized tellurium-bearing ore deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is clinoungemachite used for?+

Clinoungemachite is used in collector.

Find clinoungemachite on the map

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