Bendadaite is a rare phosphate mineral typically found as distinct dark green fibrous sprays or spherical aggregates in granite pegmatites. It is often identified by its association with altered triphylite and its specific habit of forming radial tufts that require magnification to fully appreciate.
Is this bendadaite?
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 bendadaite with a known reference. Bendadaite 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. Bendadaite leaves a yellowish-green streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Bendadaite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark green, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: fibrous aggregates, radial sprays, spherical clusters.
Often confused with
Bendadaite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside bendadaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with bendadaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Fe²⁺Fe³⁺₂(PO₄)₂(OH)₂·4H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 3.55 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellowish-green
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Fibrous Aggregates, Radial Sprays, Spherical Clusters
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $30-150 for thumbnail specimens
Where rockhounds find bendadaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Bendada, Portugal
- Hagendorf-Pleystein, Germany
- Linopolis, Brazil
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where bendadaite typically forms. If you start seeing triphylite, vivianite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a fibrous aggregates, radial sprays, spherical clusters habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find bendadaite on the map
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