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 — that is 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.