Angarfite is a rare phosphate mineral discovered in the Angarf-South pegmatite in Morocco. It typically forms as small, yellow-orange prismatic crystals within phosphate-rich zones of complex pegmatites.

Hardness

2.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

Pale brown

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Angarfite

Hardness: 2.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: Pale brown
Transparency: Transparent

No image

Is this angarfite?

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 angarfite with a known reference. Angarfite sits at Mohs 2.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: pale brown.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: orange-brown, red-brown.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Tavorite

Mohs 5

How to tell apart: Tavorite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5 vs. 2.5).

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Often found alongside angarfite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: NaFe₅(PO₄)₄(OH)₄·4H₂O
Mohs hardness: 2.5
Density: 2.76 g/cm³
Colors: Orange-brown Red-brown
Streak: Pale brown
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Prismatic crystals
Cleavage: Poor on {010}
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Occurs in phosphate nodules in the intermediate zone of a granitic pegmatite by the reaction of Na-bearing hydrothermal solutions with primary triphylite

Where rockhounds find angarfite

Classic worldwide localities

Angarf-Sud pegmatite, Tazenakht, Ouarzazate Province, Souss-Massa-Draâ region, Morocco

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: Occurs in phosphate nodules in the intermediate zone of a granitic pegmatite by the reaction of Na-bearing hydrothermal solutions with primary triphylite. If you start seeing triphylite, lipscombite–barbosalite, jahnsite- in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify angarfite?+

Mohs hardness is 2.5. Luster: vitreous. The streak is pale brown. Common colors include orange-brown, red-brown.

Where is angarfite found?+

Notable localities include Angarf-Sud pegmatite, Tazenakht, Ouarzazate Province, Souss-Massa-Draâ region, Morocco.

What rocks look like angarfite?+

Angarfite is most often confused with Tavorite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with angarfite?+

Angarfite commonly co-occurs with Triphylite, Lipscombite–barbosalite, Jahnsite-, Bederite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does angarfite form in?+

Where it forms: Occurs in phosphate nodules in the intermediate zone of a granitic pegmatite by the reaction of Na-bearing hydrothermal solutions with primary triphylite. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is angarfite used for?+

Angarfite is used in collector.

Find angarfite on the map

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