Calcioferrite is a rare secondary phosphate mineral typically found as a result of the alteration of triphylite in pegmatites. Collectors should look for its characteristic pale yellow to brown tabular crystals or delicate rosettes often associated with other iron-phosphate minerals.
Is this calcioferrite?
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 calcioferrite with a known reference. Calcioferrite 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. Calcioferrite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Calcioferrite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish-brown, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, foliated masses, rosettes.
Often confused with
Calcioferrite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Mitridatite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2.5); streak differs — Calcioferrite leaves white, Mitridatite leaves yellowish-white; luster reads pearly on Calcioferrite and dull on Mitridatite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Calcioferrite leaves white, Vivianite leaves white to light blue; luster reads pearly on Calcioferrite and vitreous on Vivianite.
Often found alongside calcioferrite
Minerals reported to co-occur with calcioferrite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₄Fe³⁺₂(PO₄)₄(OH)₂·7H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 2.52 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Foliated Masses, Rosettes
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Phosphate-rich Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $20-150 for micro to thumbnail specimens
Where rockhounds find calcioferrite
Classic worldwide localities
- Hagendorf, Bavaria, Germany
- Mangualde, Portugal
- Sapucaia pegmatite, Brazil
Field-hunting tip
Look in phosphate-rich granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where calcioferrite typically forms. If you start seeing triphylite, rockbridgeite, phosphosiderite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, foliated masses, rosettes habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find calcioferrite on the map
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