Zaherite is a rare aluminum sulfate, typically chalk-white to pale bluish green. It is associated with kaolinite and aluminite. It was first described from Punjab Salt Range, Pakistan.

Hardness

~3.5

Mohs

Luster

Pearly to earthy

Streak

White

Transparency

Semitransparent

mineralrare

Zaherite

Zaherite is a rare aluminum sulfate, typically chalk-white to pale bluish green. It is associated with kaolinite and aluminite. It was first described from Punjab Salt Range, Pakistan.

Hardness: ~3.5
Luster: Pearly to earthy
Streak: White
Transparency: Semitransparent

Is this zaherite?

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 zaherite with a known reference. Zaherite sits at Mohs ~3.5, 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: pearly to earthy.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, light bluish green.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: cryptocrystalline, massive.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Dickite

Mohs 2-2.5

How to tell apart: Zaherite is noticeably harder (Mohs ~3.5 vs. 2-2.5); luster reads pearly to earthy on Zaherite and satiny on Dickite.

How to tell apart: Zaherite is noticeably harder (Mohs ~3.5 vs. 2-2.5).

Compare →

Often found alongside zaherite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Al₁₂(SO₄)₅(OH)₂₆·20H₂O
Mohs hardness: ~3.5
Density: 2.007-2.011 g/cm³
Colors: WhiteLight bluish green
Streak: White
Luster: Pearly to earthy
Transparency: Semitransparent
Crystal system: Triclinic
Crystal habit: Cryptocrystalline, massive
Cleavage: One, well-developed
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In veinlets in a kaolinite-böhmite rock (Punjab Salt Range, Pakistan)

Where rockhounds find zaherite

Classic worldwide localities

Punjab Salt Range, Pakistan
Hotson farm, 65 km west of Pofadder, Cape Province, South Africa

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In veinlets in a kaolinite-böhmite rock (Punjab Salt Range, Pakistan). If you start seeing kaolinite, böhmite, aluminite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: cryptocrystalline, massive. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify zaherite?+

Mohs hardness is ~3.5. Luster: pearly to earthy. The streak is white. Common colors include white, light bluish green.

Where is zaherite found?+

Notable localities include Punjab Salt Range, Pakistan; Hotson farm, 65 km west of Pofadder, Cape Province, South Africa.

What rocks look like zaherite?+

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

What minerals are found with zaherite?+

Zaherite commonly co-occurs with Kaolinite, Böhmite, Aluminite, Natroalunite, Hotsonite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does zaherite form in?+

Where it forms: In veinlets in a kaolinite-böhmite rock (Punjab Salt Range, Pakistan). Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is zaherite used for?+

Zaherite is used in collector.

Find zaherite on the map

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