Fairfieldite is an attractive secondary phosphate mineral typically found as bladed crystals or radial sprays in granite pegmatites. It is prized by collectors for its delicate crystal forms, although it is quite brittle and should be handled with care.
Is this fairfieldite?
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 fairfieldite with a known reference. Fairfieldite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Fairfieldite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Fairfieldite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, yellow, colorless, pale green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: bladed crystals, radial aggregates, crusts.
Often confused with
Fairfieldite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside fairfieldite
Minerals reported to co-occur with fairfieldite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₂Mn²⁺(PO₄)₂·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 3.10 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Bladed Crystals, Radial Aggregates, Crusts
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {010}
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $15-100 per specimen
Where rockhounds find fairfieldite
Classic worldwide localities
- Fairfield, Connecticut, USA
- Bavaria, Germany
- Rapid Creek, Yukon, Canada
- Minas Gerais, Brazil
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where fairfieldite typically forms. If you start seeing triplite, eosphorite, apatite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a bladed crystals, radial aggregates, crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify fairfieldite?+
Where is fairfieldite found?+
How much is fairfieldite worth?+
What rocks look like fairfieldite?+
What minerals are found with fairfieldite?+
What kind of rock does fairfieldite form in?+
What is fairfieldite used for?+
Find fairfieldite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
