Kononovite is a rare sodium magnesium sulfate hydrate found primarily in the arid environments of the Daldyn-Alakit kimberlite region. It typically appears as whiteish granular crusts or small crystalline aggregates within evaporite assemblages.
Is this kononovite?
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 kononovite with a known reference. Kononovite sits at Mohs ~3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: granular aggregates, crusts.
Often confused with
Kononovite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside kononovite
Minerals reported to co-occur with kononovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaMg(SO₄)F
- Mohs hardness
- ~3
- Density
- 2.91 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Granular aggregates, crusts
- Cleavage
- Imperfect, one direction
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Encrusting basaltic scoria around an active fumarole, probably by reaction of volcanic gas with minerals in the scoria
Where rockhounds find kononovite
Classic worldwide localities
- Arsenatnaya fumarole, Second scoria cone of the Northern Breakthrough of the Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption, Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Encrusting basaltic scoria around an active fumarole, probably by reaction of volcanic gas with minerals in the scoria. If you start seeing langbeinite, hematite, anglesite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: granular aggregates, crusts. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify kononovite?+
Where is kononovite found?+
What rocks look like kononovite?+
What minerals are found with kononovite?+
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What is kononovite used for?+
Find kononovite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
