What is "zaherite"

n. (context mineralogy English) A mineral, a complex sulphate of aluminium, coloured white to blue-green.

Zaherite is a mineral, a complex sulfate of aluminium, formula Al( O H)( SO)·20 HO. Discovered in 1977 in the Salt range, Punjab, Pakistan by Mohamed Abduz Zaher of the Bangladesh Geological Survey after whom it is named. This mineral would be extremely soluble in water and unlikely to persist anywhere except in the most arid of environments. It spontaneously, and reversibly dehydrates around room temperature. Its color is white to blue-green.