Cyrilovite is a rare phosphate mineral typically found as small, bright yellow, pseudo-octahedral crystals in phosphate-rich pegmatites. Collectors look for its characteristic tetragonal habit and association with other secondary phosphate minerals. It is primarily a specimen mineral of interest to advanced systematic collectors.
Is this cyrilovite?
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 cyrilovite with a known reference. Cyrilovite sits at Mohs 3.5-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Cyrilovite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Cyrilovite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, golden-yellow, orange-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: pyramidal or tabular crystals, often in radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Cyrilovite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside cyrilovite
Minerals reported to co-occur with cyrilovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaFe³⁺₃(PO₄)₂(OH)₄·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 2.81 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Pyramidal or Tabular Crystals, Often in Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $20-150 thumbnail
Where rockhounds find cyrilovite
Classic worldwide localities
- Cyrilov, Czech Republic
- Sapucaia Mine, Brazil
- Tip Top Mine, South Dakota, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country, the host setting where cyrilovite typically forms. If you start seeing triplite, apatite, beraunite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a pyramidal or tabular crystals, often in radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find cyrilovite on the map
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