Buchwaldite is an exceptionally rare phosphate mineral discovered as inclusions within iron meteorites. It typically occurs as tiny grains trapped within the metallic matrix, making it a highly sought-after curiosity for meteorite specialists and mineral collectors.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Semitransparent

mineralrare

Buchwaldite

Hardness: <3
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Semitransparent

No image

Is this buchwaldite?

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 buchwaldite with a known reference. Buchwaldite sits at Mohs <3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: anhedral grains.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Apatite

Mohs 5

How to tell apart: Apatite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5 vs. <3).

How to tell apart: Merrillite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5 vs. <3).

Compare →

Often found alongside buchwaldite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: NaCaPO₄
Mohs hardness: <3
Density: 3.21 g/cm³
Colors: White
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Semitransparent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Anhedral grains
Cleavage: One, platy, or a parting
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: As inclusions in troilite nodules in an iron meteorite

Where rockhounds find buchwaldite

Classic worldwide localities

In the Agpalilik and other fragments of the Cape York iron meteorite (type locality)

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: As inclusions in troilite nodules in an iron meteorite. If you start seeing troilite, chromite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: anhedral grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify buchwaldite?+

Mohs hardness is <3. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include white.

Where is buchwaldite found?+

Notable localities include In the Agpalilik and other fragments of the Cape York iron meteorite (type locality).

What rocks look like buchwaldite?+

Buchwaldite is most often confused with Apatite, Merrillite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with buchwaldite?+

Buchwaldite commonly co-occurs with Troilite, Chromite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does buchwaldite form in?+

Where it forms: As inclusions in troilite nodules in an iron meteorite. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is buchwaldite used for?+

Buchwaldite is used in collector.

Find buchwaldite on the map

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