Beusite-(Ca) is a rare phosphate mineral found primarily in complex granitic pegmatites. It typically occurs as brownish, massive to granular masses and is often chemically associated with other triphylite group members in advanced stages of pegmatite evolution.

Hardness

4-5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrareTriphylite Group family

Beusite-(Ca)

Hardness: 4-5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

No image

Is this beusite-(ca)?

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 beusite-(ca) with a known reference. Beusite-(Ca) 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. Beusite-(Ca) leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Beusite-(Ca) typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: brown, yellow-brown, dark brown.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: massive, granular, or interstitial filling.

Often confused with

Beusite-(Ca) vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

Often found alongside beusite-(ca)

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Mn²⁺Ca(PO₄)₂
Mohs hardness: 4-5
Density: 3.6-3.7 g/cm³
Colors: Brown Yellow-brown Dark Brown
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Massive, Granular, Or Interstitial Filling
Cleavage: Distinct On {010}
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Granitic Pegmatites
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find beusite-(ca)

Classic worldwide localities

White Picacho district, Arizona, USA
Mangualde, Portugal
Hagendorf-Pleystein, Germany
Tvedestrand, Norway

Field-hunting tip

Look in granitic pegmatites country — that is the host setting where beusite-(ca) typically forms. If you start seeing triphylite, apatite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, granular, or interstitial filling habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify beusite-(ca)?+

Mohs hardness is 4-5. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include brown, yellow-brown, dark brown.

Where is beusite-(ca) found?+

Notable localities include White Picacho district, Arizona, USA; Mangualde, Portugal; Hagendorf-Pleystein, Germany; Tvedestrand, Norway.

How much is beusite-(ca) worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like beusite-(ca)?+

Beusite-(Ca) is most often confused with Triphylite, Lithiophilite, Graftonite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with beusite-(ca)?+

Beusite-(Ca) commonly co-occurs with Triphylite, Apatite, Quartz, Albite, Muscovite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does beusite-(ca) form in?+

Beusite-(Ca) typically forms in granitic pegmatites. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is beusite-(ca) used for?+

Beusite-(Ca) is used in collector.

Find beusite-(ca) on the map

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