Bearthite is a rare calcium aluminum phosphate mineral found in high-pressure metamorphic environments. It typically occurs as small, prismatic to tabular crystals in quartz-rich veins within alpine metamorphic terrains.
Is this bearthite?
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 bearthite with a known reference. Bearthite sits at Mohs 6.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Bearthite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Bearthite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, pale pink, pale violet.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic to tabular crystals, often as aggregates.
Often confused with
Bearthite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside bearthite
Minerals reported to co-occur with bearthite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₂Al(PO₄)₂(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5
- Density
- 3.88 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic to Tabular Crystals, Often as Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Distinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphic Rocks, Specifically High-pressure Alpine Rocks
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find bearthite
Classic worldwide localities
- Monte Rosa, Switzerland
- Sesia Valley, Italy
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphic rocks, specifically high-pressure alpine rocks country — that is the host setting where bearthite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, phengite, rutile in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic to tabular crystals, often as aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find bearthite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
