Bolivarite is a rare, amorphous aluminum phosphate mineral often found in the weathered zones of granite pegmatites. It typically appears as dull, massive crusts or nodules and is primarily valued by mineral collectors for its chemical rarity.
Is this bolivarite?
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 bolivarite with a known reference. Bolivarite sits at Mohs 2.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Bolivarite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Bolivarite typically shows a dull luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, greenish-yellow, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: amorphous. Typical habit: massive, encrusting.
Often confused with
Bolivarite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Variscite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5-4.5 vs. 2.5); luster reads dull on Bolivarite and waxy on Variscite.
How to tell apart: Turquoise is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-6 vs. 2.5); luster reads dull on Bolivarite and waxy on Turquoise.
Often found alongside bolivarite
Minerals reported to co-occur with bolivarite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Al₂(PO₄)(OH)₃·4H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 2.26 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Dull
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Amorphous
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Encrusting
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $20-100 per specimen
Where rockhounds find bolivarite
Classic worldwide localities
- Ponteareas, Spain
- Germany
- France
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where bolivarite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, mica, feldspar in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, encrusting habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find bolivarite on the map
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