Amblygonite is a phosphate mineral commonly found in lithium-rich pegmatites. It is often confused with other minerals like spodumene due to similar habits, but it is typically identified by its perfect cleavage and specific density.
Is this amblygonite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch amblygonite with a known reference. Amblygonite sits at Mohs 5.5-6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous to greasy, pearly on good cleavages.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, yellow, gray, bluish gray, greenish gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: columnar, euhedral crystals, prismatic.
Often confused with
Amblygonite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside amblygonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with amblygonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- LiAlPO₄F
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5-6
- Density
- 3.04-3.11 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous to greasy, pearly on good cleavages
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Columnar, euhedral crystals, prismatic
- Cleavage
- {100}, perfect; {110}, good; {011}, distinct; {001} imperfect [morphological orientation of ref. (1)]
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Gemstone, Lithium ore
- Host rock
- An uncommon accessory mineral in zoned granite pegmatites; in high-temperature tin veins and greisens
Where rockhounds find amblygonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Hebron, Oxford Co., Maine, USA
- San Domingo Wash, northeast of Wickenburg, Maricopa Co., Arizona, USA
- Chursdorf and Arnsdorf, near Penig, Saxony, Germany
- Utö Island, near Stockholm, Sweden
- Tanco pegmatite, Bernic Lake, Manitoba, Canada
- Coolgardie, Western Australia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: An uncommon accessory mineral in zoned granite pegmatites; in high-temperature tin veins and greisens. If you start seeing lacroixite, apatite, lithiophilite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: columnar, euhedral crystals, prismatic. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify amblygonite?+
Where is amblygonite found?+
What rocks look like amblygonite?+
What minerals are found with amblygonite?+
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What is amblygonite used for?+
Find amblygonite on the map
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