Biphosphammite is a rare, water-soluble ammonium phosphate mineral typically found as white crusts or efflorescences in guano deposits. It is extremely fragile and hygroscopic, often requiring airtight storage to prevent dissolution by atmospheric moisture.
Is this biphosphammite?
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 biphosphammite with a known reference. Biphosphammite sits at Mohs 2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Biphosphammite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Biphosphammite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: crusts, efflorescent coatings.
Often confused with
Biphosphammite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside biphosphammite
Minerals reported to co-occur with biphosphammite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (NH₄)(H₂PO₄)
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 1.74 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Crusts, Efflorescent Coatings
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Guano Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-100 per specimen
Where rockhounds find biphosphammite
Classic worldwide localities
- Guano islands, Peru
- Bird guano deposits
- Bat caves
Field-hunting tip
Look in guano deposits country — that is the host setting where biphosphammite typically forms. If you start seeing mascagnite, struvite, taranakite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a crusts, efflorescent coatings habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify biphosphammite?+
Where is biphosphammite found?+
How much is biphosphammite worth?+
What rocks look like biphosphammite?+
What minerals are found with biphosphammite?+
What kind of rock does biphosphammite form in?+
What is biphosphammite used for?+
Find biphosphammite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
