Burangaite is a rare phosphate mineral typically found as small, vibrant blue tabular crystals within phosphate-rich pegmatites. It is highly sought after by micromount collectors due to its intense color and limited number of global localities.
Is this burangaite?
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 burangaite with a known reference. Burangaite sits at Mohs 4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Burangaite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Burangaite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: blue, sky-blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic to tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Burangaite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside burangaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with burangaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Na,Ca)₂Fe²⁺₂Al₅(PO₄)₄(OH,F)₇·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 3.31 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic to Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-500 thumbnail depending on crystal quality
Where rockhounds find burangaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Buranga pegmatite, Rwanda
- Mangualde, Portugal
- Big Fish River, Yukon, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country, the host setting where burangaite typically forms. If you start seeing amblygonite, lazulite, wardite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic to tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find burangaite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
