Bermanite is a secondary phosphate mineral typically found in granite pegmatites as an alteration product of triphylite. Collectors look for its distinctive reddish-brown tabular crystals that often form radiating groups or thin crusts in weathered pockets.
Is this bermanite?
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 bermanite with a known reference. Bermanite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Bermanite leaves a pale yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Bermanite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: reddish-brown, brown, orange-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, platy aggregates, crusts.
Often confused with
Bermanite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside bermanite
Minerals reported to co-occur with bermanite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mn²⁺Mn³⁺₂(PO₄)₂(OH)₂·4H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 2.84 g/cm³
- Streak
- Pale Yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Platy Aggregates, Crusts
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Phosphate-rich Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $20-150 thumbnail
Where rockhounds find bermanite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tip Top Mine, South Dakota, USA
- Hagendorf-Pleystein, Bavaria, Germany
- Big Chief Mine, South Dakota, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in phosphate-rich granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where bermanite typically forms. If you start seeing triphylite, hureaulite, strengite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, platy aggregates, crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find bermanite on the map
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