Childrenite is an iron-rich phosphate mineral often found in complex granite pegmatites. It typically forms attractive, honey-brown to reddish-brown prismatic crystals that are highly sought after by systematic mineral collectors.
Is this childrenite?
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 childrenite with a known reference. Childrenite sits at Mohs 5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Childrenite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Childrenite typically shows a vitreous to resinous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brown, reddish-brown, yellowish-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: short prismatic to equant crystals, sometimes radiating or massive.
Often confused with
Childrenite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous to resinous on Childrenite and vitreous on Eosphorite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous to resinous on Childrenite and vitreous on Amblygonite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous to resinous on Childrenite and waxy on Variscite.
Often found alongside childrenite
Minerals reported to co-occur with childrenite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- FeAlPO₄(OH)₂·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 3.1-3.3 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous to Resinous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Short Prismatic to Equant Crystals, Sometimes Radiating or Massive
- Cleavage
- Poor On {100}
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $20-150 for thumbnail to miniature specimens
Where rockhounds find childrenite
Classic worldwide localities
- Cornwall, England
- Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Newry, Maine, USA
- Black Hills, South Dakota, USA
- Hagendorf, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where childrenite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, apatite, muscovite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a short prismatic to equant crystals, sometimes radiating or massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find childrenite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
