Rare Mineral Albertiniite Discovered in Arkansas

First North American find of the extremely rare ferric sulfite mineral

Mar. 30, 2026 at 11:37pm

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A highly structured abstract painting in soft, earthy tones of ochre, sienna, and turquoise, depicting the complex crystalline structure and chemical composition of the newly discovered mineral albertiniite through sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise botanical or physical spirals, conveying the natural beauty and structural order of this scientific phenomenon.The discovery of the rare mineral albertiniite in Arkansas reveals the hidden scientific wonders that can still be found in the natural world.Malvern Today

The Varnedore family has reported the confirmed identification of the rare mineral albertiniite (Fe2+(SO3)·3H2O) at their family's Varnedore Prospect in Hot Spring County, Arkansas. This represents the first documented occurrence of albertiniite in North America and only the second known locality in the world, after the original discovery in Italy in 2010.

Why it matters

The discovery of albertiniite, an extraordinarily rare ferric sulfite mineral, is of significant scientific interest as fewer than a handful of sulfite mineral species are recognized worldwide. The Varnedore Prospect is located within the geologically rich Contact Zone surrounding the Magnet Cove igneous intrusion, which has produced over 150 documented mineral species, making it a site of great importance to mineral collectors and researchers.

The details

The albertiniite occurs as micro-scale euhedral crystals, forming in clusters, radiating tufts, and isolated doubly-terminated individuals. Colors range from yellowish to burnt-orange and deep red, with some crystals displaying iridescent surface coatings. The crystals occur on and adjacent to other rare minerals found at the prospect, including tainiolite, strontium-bearing blue baryte, brookite, smoky quartz, and various forms of goethite.

  • The discovery was made during systematic hand-excavation of the Varnedore family's land in 2026.
  • Albertiniite was first discovered and formally described as a new mineral species in 2015 at the Monte Falò Pb-Zn mine in Piedmont, Italy.

The players

Varnedore Family

The owners of the private land where the Varnedore Prospect is located, who have been carefully exploring the site and have made this rare mineral discovery.

Dr. Anthony Kampf

A researcher at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County who verified the identity of the albertiniite specimen through visual examination and powder X-ray diffraction analysis.

Claudio Albertini

The Italian mineralogist who first discovered albertiniite in 2010 at the Monte Falò Pb-Zn mine in Piedmont, Italy.

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What they’re saying

“We have always known this land was special. We are approaching the exploration carefully, by hand, one layer at a time, because we believe the scientific story this site can tell is just as valuable as the specimens themselves.”

— Varnedore Family

“The occurrence of a rare sulfite suggests the possibility of finding other unusual minerals in this association.”

— Dr. Anthony Kampf, Researcher, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

What’s next

The Varnedore family plans to continue their careful, systematic exploration of the prospect, as they believe there are more rare and scientifically valuable mineral specimens yet to be discovered. A limited number of the albertiniite specimens will be made available to museums, research institutions, and serious collectors in the future.

The takeaway

The discovery of albertiniite, an exceptionally rare mineral, at the Varnedore Prospect highlights the scientific significance of this geologically rich site in Arkansas and the importance of careful, methodical exploration of private lands that may harbor undiscovered mineral wealth.