Ehrleite is a very rare phosphate mineral typically found as small, thin, colorless to white tabular crystals in pegmatite cavities. It is primarily known from the Tip Top mine in South Dakota, where it occurs in association with other rare beryllium-bearing phosphates.

Hardness

3.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Ehrleite

Hardness: 3.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

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Is this ehrleite?

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 ehrleite with a known reference. Ehrleite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Ehrleite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Ehrleite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, white, pale yellow.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, radiating aggregates.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Roscherite

Mohs 4.5

How to tell apart: Roscherite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.5 vs. 3.5).

Often found alongside ehrleite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Ca₂ZnBe(PO₄)₂(OH)₂·4H₂O
Mohs hardness: 3.5
Density: 2.46 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless White Pale Yellow
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Triclinic
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals, Radiating Aggregates
Cleavage: Good in One Direction
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Granite Pegmatites
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find ehrleite

Classic worldwide localities

Tip Top Mine, South Dakota, USA

Field-hunting tip

Look in granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where ehrleite typically forms. If you start seeing tiptopite, roscherite, hydroxylapatite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, radiating aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify ehrleite?+

Mohs hardness is 3.5. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, white, pale yellow.

Where is ehrleite found?+

Notable localities include Tip Top Mine, South Dakota, USA.

How much is ehrleite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

Is ehrleite safe to handle?+

It contains toxic constituents. Contains beryllium, which is toxic if inhaled or ingested; handle with care and avoid generating dust. Handle with care, avoid grinding or breathing dust, and store separately.

What rocks look like ehrleite?+

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

What minerals are found with ehrleite?+

Ehrleite commonly co-occurs with Tiptopite, Roscherite, Hydroxylapatite, Englishite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does ehrleite form in?+

Ehrleite typically forms in granite pegmatites. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is ehrleite used for?+

Ehrleite is used in collector.

Find ehrleite on the map

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