"Ram's Horn" Kalinite with a sprinkling of sulfur crystals.
This specimen was collected in a volcanic fumarole in Baja California, Mexico
CHEMISTRY KAl(SO4) .11H2O Hydrous Potassium Aluminum Sulfate, also known as natural alum
CRYSTALLOGRAPHY Monoclinic
CRYSTAL GROWTH AND HABITS Artificially grown crystals are prismatic but naturally occurring crystals are typically fibrous. It also occurs as fibrous masses.
COLOR AND OTHER OPTICAL PROPERTIES White to clear; transparent to translucent
HARDNESS 3
SPECIFIC GRAVITY 1.7
LUSTER Vitreous
STREAK White
BREAKABILITY Uneven fracture, very brittle
OCCURRENCE This specimen of Kalinite was found in an active volcanic fumarole in Baja California, Mexico, near San Felipe.
ASSOCIATED MINERALS Sulfur
OTHER PROPERTIES Tastes like alum