Meniaylovite is a rare calcium aluminum sulfate, typically colorless or white. It is a product of the alteration of volcanic rocks by fumarole gases. Associated minerals include malladrite, hieratite and ralstonite. It was first described from First and Second cinder cones, Tolbachik Volcano, Kamchatka, Russia.
Is this meniaylovite?
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 meniaylovite with a known reference. Meniaylovite sits at Mohs 2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Meniaylovite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Meniaylovite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: platy crystals, crusts.
Often confused with
Meniaylovite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Meniaylovite leaves white, Klyuchevskite leaves pale green; luster reads vitreous on Meniaylovite and submetallic on Klyuchevskite.
How to tell apart: Alarsite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-5.5 vs. 2).
Often found alongside meniaylovite
Minerals reported to co-occur with meniaylovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₄AlSi(SO₄)F₁₃·12H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 2.25 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Crusts
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Fumarole Deposits
Where rockhounds find meniaylovite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in fumarole deposits country, the host setting where meniaylovite typically forms. If you start seeing klyuchevskite, dolerophanite, haematite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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What rocks look like meniaylovite?+
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Find meniaylovite on the map
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