Arrojadite-(SrFe) is a rare phosphate mineral found primarily in complex granitic pegmatites. It typically occurs as massive, granular aggregates with a characteristic dark brownish-yellow to yellowish red hue and vitreous luster, often appearing in association with other phosphate minerals.
Is this arrojadite-(srfe)?
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 arrojadite-(srfe) with a known reference. Arrojadite-(SrFe) sits at Mohs 3.5-4, 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.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish red.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: granular, massive, rarely in imperfect crystals.
Often confused with
Arrojadite-(SrFe) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside arrojadite-(srfe)
Minerals reported to co-occur with arrojadite-(srfe). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- SrFe(CaNa₂)Fe₁₃Al(PO₄)₁₁(PO₃OH)(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 3.569 g/cm³
- Colors
- YellowYellowish red
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Granular, massive, rarely in imperfect crystals
- Cleavage
- On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific research
- Host rock
- In metaquartzite formed under amphibolite facies conditions
Where rockhounds find arrojadite-(srfe)
Classic worldwide localities
- Horrsjöberg, Värmland, Sweden (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In metaquartzite formed under amphibolite facies conditions. If you start seeing kyanite, muscovite, wagnerite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: granular, massive, rarely in imperfect crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify arrojadite-(srfe)?+
Where is arrojadite-(srfe) found?+
What rocks look like arrojadite-(srfe)?+
What minerals are found with arrojadite-(srfe)?+
What kind of rock does arrojadite-(srfe) form in?+
What is arrojadite-(srfe) used for?+
Find arrojadite-(srfe) on the map
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