Strontiodresserite is an extremely rare carbonate mineral found primarily in the alkaline rocks of the Mont Saint-Hilaire complex. It typically forms delicate, white to pale yellow radiating clusters of bladed crystals within cavities and is highly sought after by systematic mineral collectors.
Is this strontiodresserite?
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 strontiodresserite with a known reference. Strontiodresserite sits at Mohs 3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Strontiodresserite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Strontiodresserite typically shows a vitreous to silky luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: bladed aggregates.
Often confused with
Strontiodresserite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside strontiodresserite
Minerals reported to co-occur with strontiodresserite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- SrAl₂(CO₃)₂(OH)₄·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 2.8 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous to Silky
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Bladed Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None Observed
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Igneous Intrusions
Where rockhounds find strontiodresserite
Classic worldwide localities
- Poudrette Quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline igneous intrusions country, the host setting where strontiodresserite typically forms. If you start seeing dawsonite, calcite, analcime in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a bladed aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify strontiodresserite?+
Where is strontiodresserite found?+
What rocks look like strontiodresserite?+
What minerals are found with strontiodresserite?+
What kind of rock does strontiodresserite form in?+
What is strontiodresserite used for?+
Find strontiodresserite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
