Vlodavetsite is a rare lead-calcium arsenate-sulfate chloride found primarily in volcanic fumaroles. It typically occurs as tiny, thin tabular crystals formed through sublimation and direct deposition from volcanic gases.

Hardness

2-3

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Semitransparent

mineralrare

Vlodavetsite

Hardness: 2-3
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Semitransparent

No image

Is this vlodavetsite?

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 vlodavetsite with a known reference. Vlodavetsite sits at Mohs 2-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, yellow white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: platy, tabular.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Finnemanite

Mohs 2.5

How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Vlodavetsite and subadamantine on Finnemanite.

How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Vlodavetsite and adamantine, resinous to vitreous on Anglesite.

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Often found alongside vlodavetsite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Ca₂Al(SO₄)₂F₂Cl·4H₂O
Mohs hardness: 2-3
Density: 2.35 g/cm³
Colors: ColorlessYellow white
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Semitransparent
Crystal system: Tetragonal
Crystal habit: Platy, tabular
Cleavage: On {100}, perfect
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: A product of low-temperature hydration of minerals on the fracture walls of volcanic fumaroles

Where rockhounds find vlodavetsite

Classic worldwide localities

Tolbachik fissure volcano, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: A product of low-temperature hydration of minerals on the fracture walls of volcanic fumaroles. If you start seeing gypsum, sellaite, bischofite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy, tabular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify vlodavetsite?+

Mohs hardness is 2-3. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, yellow white.

Where is vlodavetsite found?+

Notable localities include Tolbachik fissure volcano, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia.

What rocks look like vlodavetsite?+

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

What minerals are found with vlodavetsite?+

Vlodavetsite commonly co-occurs with Gypsum, Sellaite, Bischofite, Hydrophilite, Spinel. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does vlodavetsite form in?+

Where it forms: A product of low-temperature hydration of minerals on the fracture walls of volcanic fumaroles. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is vlodavetsite used for?+

Vlodavetsite is used in collector.

Find vlodavetsite on the map

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