Blodite
1 in the gallery
Blodite is a hydrated sulfate mineral that forms as a colorless to white, transparent to translucent crystals with a glassy to vitreous lustre. It commonly occurs as small prismatic to tabular crystals and can resemble other hydrated sulfate minerals in habit, but its distinctive water content gives it a stable, low-temperature appearance. The mineral often crystallizes in arid zones where sulfate-rich fluids precipitate in evaporite environments, and notable specimens come from Chile, where climate and geology favor its formation.
- Formula
- Na2Mg(SO4)2 · 4H2O
- Rarity
- Rare
- Stability
- Moderately Stable
- Collector interest
- High Interest
- Classification notes
- Sulfates; Dana/Strunz class 7: Hydrated sulfates
Where Blodite is found
Top localities
- Chuquicamata Mine1 specimen
About Blodite
Collectors prize blodite for its purity and habit, as well as the challenge of locating specimens that preserve hydration. Although it can be delicate due to its water content, high-quality crystals with sharp terminations and clear faces provide appealing optical aesthetics under both reflected and transmitted light. Specimens from Chile contribute to the species’ appeal, representing classic hydrated sulfate crystallization and offering a window into evaporitic processes that occur in desert to high-altitude settings.