Benyacarite is a rare phosphate mineral often found as small, distinct bipyramidal crystals in complex phosphate-bearing pegmatites. Collectors look for its characteristic yellowish-brown hues and well-defined orthorhombic crystal forms occurring in cavities with other secondary phosphates.
Is this benyacarite?
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 benyacarite with a known reference. Benyacarite sits at Mohs 2.5-3, 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, colorless, yellowish white, greenish yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: euhedral crystals.
Often confused with
Benyacarite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside benyacarite
Minerals reported to co-occur with benyacarite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (H₂O)₂Mn₂(Ti₂Fe)(PO₄)₄(OF)(H₂O)₁₀·4H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5-3
- Density
- 2.4 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Euhedral crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {010}; parting on {101}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare secondary mineral in a complex zoned granite pegmatite
Where rockhounds find benyacarite
Classic worldwide localities
- El Criollo pegmatite, Cerro Blanco, Tanti district, 45 km west of Córdoba, Córdoba Province, Argentina
- Hagendorf, and on the Kreuzberg, Pleystein, Bavaria, Germany
- Folgosinho, near Gouveia, Portugal
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare secondary mineral in a complex zoned granite pegmatite. If you start seeing phosphosiderite, strengite, pachnolite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: euhedral crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify benyacarite?+
Where is benyacarite found?+
What rocks look like benyacarite?+
What minerals are found with benyacarite?+
What kind of rock does benyacarite form in?+
What is benyacarite used for?+
Find benyacarite on the map
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