Edwardsite is a rare phosphate mineral characterized by its tabular crystal habit and white to colorless appearance. It is primarily found in complex geological environments and is mostly of interest to advanced mineral collectors.
Is this edwardsite?
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 edwardsite with a known reference. Edwardsite sits at Mohs 4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Edwardsite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Edwardsite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Edwardsite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside edwardsite
Minerals reported to co-occur with edwardsite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaCe(PO₄)₂(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 3.1 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $50-200 for micro specimens
Where rockhounds find edwardsite
Classic worldwide localities
- Sweden
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where edwardsite typically forms. If you start seeing monazite, cerite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify edwardsite?+
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Find edwardsite on the map
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