Brendelite is a very rare secondary phosphate mineral found as tiny bladed crystals within granite pegmatites. It is primarily known from the type locality at the Hagendorf-Sud pegmatite in Germany, often appearing as an alteration product of triphylite.

Hardness

3.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Brendelite

Hardness: 3.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this brendelite?

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 brendelite with a known reference. Brendelite sits at Mohs 3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Brendelite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Brendelite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: yellowish-white, colorless, pale yellow.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: bladed crystals.

Often confused with

Brendelite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

How to tell apart: Brendelite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 1.5-2).

Often found alongside brendelite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: (Fe,Mn)₂(Fe,Al)(PO₄)₂(OH)₂
Mohs hardness: 3.5
Density: 3.88 g/cm³
Colors: Yellowish-white Colorless Pale Yellow
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Bladed Crystals
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Granite Pegmatites
Typical price: $50-500 thumbnail

Where rockhounds find brendelite

Classic worldwide localities

Hagendorf-Sud pegmatite, Germany

Field-hunting tip

Look in granite pegmatites country, the host setting where brendelite typically forms. If you start seeing laueite, stewartite, triphylite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a bladed crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify brendelite?+

Mohs hardness is 3.5. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include yellowish-white, colorless, pale yellow.

Where is brendelite found?+

Notable localities include Hagendorf-Sud pegmatite, Germany.

How much is brendelite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-500 thumbnail. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like brendelite?+

Brendelite is most often confused with Laueite, Stewartite, Phosphosiderite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with brendelite?+

Brendelite commonly co-occurs with Laueite, Stewartite, Triphylite, Phosphosiderite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does brendelite form in?+

Brendelite typically forms in granite pegmatites. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is brendelite used for?+

Brendelite is used in collector.

Find brendelite on the map

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