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 — that is 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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