Eosphorite typically occurs as attractive, delicate, pinkish-brown prismatic crystals or radial sprays within granitic pegmatites. It is highly sought after by mineral collectors for its sharp crystal morphology and aesthetic associations with other phosphate minerals.
Is this eosphorite?
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 eosphorite with a known reference. Eosphorite sits at Mohs 5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Eosphorite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Eosphorite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pink, brown, yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, radial sprays, acicular aggregates.
Often confused with
Eosphorite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside eosphorite
Minerals reported to co-occur with eosphorite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mn²⁺AlPO₄(OH)₂·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 3.08-3.14 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Radial Sprays, Acicular Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {100}
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $20-200 thumbnail to cabinet specimen
Where rockhounds find eosphorite
Classic worldwide localities
- Branchville, Connecticut, USA
- Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Hagendorf, Germany
- Rapid Creek, Yukon, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where eosphorite typically forms. If you start seeing triphylite, amblygonite, lithiophilite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, radial sprays, acicular aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify eosphorite?+
Where is eosphorite found?+
How much is eosphorite worth?+
What rocks look like eosphorite?+
What minerals are found with eosphorite?+
What kind of rock does eosphorite form in?+
What is eosphorite used for?+
Find eosphorite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
