IMA mineral species
Dawsonite
NaAl(CO₃)(OH)₂
Sodium aluminium carbonate hydroxide mineral.
Properties
⛏ Mohs hardness3
💅🪙🍶🔪💎
A copper coin scratches it.
⚖ Density2.48 g/cm³
Average
🔷 Orthorhombic✏️ streak white
| Chemical formula | NaAl(CO₃)(OH)₂ |
|---|---|
| Elements | Na, Al, C, O, H |
| Crystal system | Orthorhombic |
| Mohs hardness | 3 |
| Density | 2.48 g/cm³ |
| Streak | white |
| Color | — |
| IMA symbol | Dws |
| Nickel–Strunz class | 5.BB.10 |
“—” means no reliable value in Wikidata yet. Check Mindat for full data.
Care & Handling
- 🪶 Soft, Scratches Easily Mohs 3: softer than a steel knife, so it scratches easily. Store it apart from harder stones.
🌍 Where it's found
Type locality (where it was first described): Mount Royal, Canada
- Type locality
- Notable source / deposit
- Country of origin
Marker positions are approximate (region or locality level). Type localities from Wikidata; notable sources curated by Crystopedia.
Learn more
- Dawsonite on Mindat.org
- Wikipedia article
- Wikidata item Q429671 (source of this page's data – you can correct it there)
IMA mineral species
3–4
Orthorhombic
White & Clear
Soft, Scratches Easily