Anapaite is a secondary phosphate mineral typically found in sedimentary iron deposits where it forms beautiful, radiating clusters of pale green tabular crystals. It is most famous for its occurrence in the Taman Peninsula of Russia, where it occurs in concretions within fossiliferous beds.

Hardness

3.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineraluncommon

Anapaite

Hardness: 3.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this anapaite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch anapaite with a known reference. Anapaite sits at Mohs 3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, green.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: encrustations, tabular.

Often confused with

Anapaite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Vivianite

Mohs 1.5-2

How to tell apart: Anapaite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 1.5-2).

Often found alongside anapaite

Minerals reported to co-occur with anapaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Ca₂Fe²⁺(PO₄)₂·4H₂O
Mohs hardness: 3.5
Density: 2.816 g/cm³
Colors: White Green
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Triclinic
Crystal habit: Encrustations, tabular
Cleavage: On {001}, perfect; on {010}, distinct
Rarity: Uncommon
Uses: Collector, Mineral specimen
Host rock: In oolitic iron ore, and in the stems of fossil trees (Anapa, Russia); in lacustrine sediments

Where rockhounds find anapaite

Classic worldwide localities

Lewis Well, near Corcoran, Kings Co., California, USA
MacArthur mine, near Yerington, Lyon Co., Nevada, USA
Palermo #1 mine, near North Groton, Grafton Co., New Hampshire, USA
An iron mine on Cape Zheleznyi Rog Cape, near Anapa, Taman Peninsula, Russia
Kerch, Crimean Peninsula, Ukraine
Castelnuovo and Allori mines, Santa Barbara lignite district, near San Giovani, Tuscany, Italy

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In oolitic iron ore, and in the stems of fossil trees (Anapa, Russia); in lacustrine sediments. If you start seeing fairfieldite, vivianite, siderite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: encrustations, tabular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify anapaite?+

Mohs hardness is 3.5. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include white, green.

Where is anapaite found?+

Notable localities include Lewis Well, near Corcoran, Kings Co., California, USA; MacArthur mine, near Yerington, Lyon Co., Nevada, USA; Palermo #1 mine, near North Groton, Grafton Co., New Hampshire, USA; An iron mine on Cape Zheleznyi Rog Cape, near Anapa, Taman Peninsula, Russia; Kerch, Crimean Peninsula, Ukraine.

What rocks look like anapaite?+

Anapaite is most often confused with Vivianite, Whewellite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with anapaite?+

Anapaite commonly co-occurs with Fairfieldite, Vivianite, Siderite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does anapaite form in?+

Where it forms: In oolitic iron ore, and in the stems of fossil trees (Anapa, Russia); in lacustrine sediments. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is anapaite used for?+

Anapaite is used in collector, mineral specimen.

Find anapaite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.