Faheyite is a rare phosphate mineral primarily found in complex granite pegmatites. It typically occurs as small, delicate clusters of fibrous or acicular crystals and is highly prized by micromount collectors due to its scarcity and distinct habit.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrare

Faheyite

Hardness: 3
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

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Is this faheyite?

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 faheyite with a known reference. Faheyite sits at Mohs 3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Faheyite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Faheyite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, pale yellow.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: fibrous, acicular, prismatic.

Often confused with

Faheyite 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).

Often found alongside faheyite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Be₂Fe²⁺Zn₂(PO₄)₄·6H₂O
Mohs hardness: 3
Density: 2.83 g/cm³
Colors: White Pale Yellow
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Hexagonal
Crystal habit: Fibrous, Acicular, Prismatic
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Granite Pegmatites
Typical price: $50-300 per thumbnail specimen

Where rockhounds find faheyite

Classic worldwide localities

Tip Top mine, Custer, South Dakota, USA
White Picacho District, Arizona, USA

Field-hunting tip

Look in granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where faheyite typically forms. If you start seeing beryllonite, leucophosphite, triplite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a fibrous, acicular, prismatic habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify faheyite?+

Mohs hardness is 3. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include white, pale yellow.

Where is faheyite found?+

Notable localities include Tip Top mine, Custer, South Dakota, USA; White Picacho District, Arizona, USA.

How much is faheyite worth?+

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

Is faheyite safe to handle?+

It contains toxic constituents. Contains beryllium and zinc, which can be toxic if ingested or inhaled as dust. Handle with care and wash hands thoroughly after handling specimens. Handle with care, avoid grinding or breathing dust, and store separately.

What rocks look like faheyite?+

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

What minerals are found with faheyite?+

Faheyite commonly co-occurs with beryllonite, leucophosphite, triplite, apatite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does faheyite form in?+

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

What is faheyite used for?+

Faheyite is used in collector.

Find faheyite on the map

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