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, 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.
