Bøggildite is an exceptionally rare fluoride mineral first discovered in the famous cryolite deposit of Ivigtut, Greenland. It typically appears as flesh-red tabular crystals and is primarily sought after by advanced systematic mineral collectors due to its extremely limited locality distribution.

Hardness

4-5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous, greasy on fracture surfaces

Streak

White

Transparency

Semitransparent

mineralrare

Bøggildite

Hardness: 4-5
Luster: Vitreous, greasy on fracture surfaces
Streak: White
Transparency: Semitransparent

Is this bøggildite?

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 bøggildite with a known reference. Bøggildite sits at Mohs 4-5, 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, greasy on fracture surfaces.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: red.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, granular.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Cryolite

Mohs 2.5

How to tell apart: Bøggildite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4-5 vs. 2.5).

Often found alongside bøggildite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Na₂Sr₂Al₂(PO₄)F₉
Mohs hardness: 4-5
Density: 3.66 g/cm³
Colors: Red
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous, greasy on fracture surfaces
Transparency: Semitransparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Tabular crystals, massive, granular
Cleavage: Prismatic, possible
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector, Research
Host rock: A rare mineral within greisen formed at the contact zone of a cryolite ore body

Where rockhounds find bøggildite

Classic worldwide localities

Found in the Ivigtut cryolite deposit, southern Greenland

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: A rare mineral within greisen formed at the contact zone of a cryolite ore body. If you start seeing fluorite, cryolite, sphalerite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, granular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify bøggildite?+

Mohs hardness is 4-5. Luster: vitreous, greasy on fracture surfaces. The streak is white. Common colors include red.

Where is bøggildite found?+

Notable localities include Found in the Ivigtut cryolite deposit, southern Greenland.

What rocks look like bøggildite?+

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

What minerals are found with bøggildite?+

Bøggildite commonly co-occurs with Fluorite, Cryolite, Sphalerite, Pyrite, Zircon, Chalcopyrite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does bøggildite form in?+

Where it forms: A rare mineral within greisen formed at the contact zone of a cryolite ore body. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is bøggildite used for?+

Bøggildite is used in collector, research.

Find bøggildite on the map

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