Fanfaniite is a rare phosphate mineral that occurs as delicate, platy crystals or radial sprays within hydrothermal cavities. It was first described from the Palomas mine in Italy and is highly sought after by advanced mineral collectors for its scarcity and aesthetic crystal habits.
Is this fanfaniite?
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 fanfaniite with a known reference. Fanfaniite 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. Fanfaniite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Fanfaniite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals, radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Fanfaniite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside fanfaniite
Minerals reported to co-occur with fanfaniite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mn₅Al(PO₄)₂(OH)₉·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 2.57 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins in Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find fanfaniite
Classic worldwide localities
- Palomas Mine, Italy
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins in pegmatites country — that is the host setting where fanfaniite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, beraunite, leucophosphite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify fanfaniite?+
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How much is fanfaniite worth?+
What rocks look like fanfaniite?+
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Find fanfaniite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
