Crawfordite is a rare phosphate mineral predominantly found in alkaline intrusive complexes. It typically occurs as small tabular crystals associated with other rare minerals in pegmatitic veins or cavities.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent to translucent

mineralrare

Crawfordite

Hardness: 3
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent to translucent

Is this crawfordite?

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 crawfordite with a known reference. Crawfordite 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: colorless, white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: granular.

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside crawfordite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Na₃Sr(PO₄)(CO₃)
Mohs hardness: 3
Density: 3.05 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless White
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent to translucent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Granular
Cleavage: None
Fluorescence: Bright greenish yellow under SW UV
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: A hydrothermal mineral in ultra-agpaitic pegmatites in a differentiated alkalic massif

Where rockhounds find crawfordite

Classic worldwide localities

Mt. Koashva, Khibiny massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: A hydrothermal mineral in ultra-agpaitic pegmatites in a differentiated alkalic massif. If you start seeing pectolite, astrophyllite, barytolamprophyllite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: granular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify crawfordite?+

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

Where is crawfordite found?+

Notable localities include Mt. Koashva, Khibiny massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia.

What rocks look like crawfordite?+

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

What minerals are found with crawfordite?+

Crawfordite commonly co-occurs with Pectolite, Astrophyllite, Barytolamprophyllite, Shcherbakovite, Vuonnemite, Kazakovite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does crawfordite form in?+

Where it forms: A hydrothermal mineral in ultra-agpaitic pegmatites in a differentiated alkalic massif. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is crawfordite used for?+

Crawfordite is used in collector.

Find crawfordite on the map

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