Farringtonite is a very rare magnesium phosphate mineral primarily found within pallasite meteorites. It typically occurs as small, colorless to pale grains embedded in the metallic matrix of these space rocks.
Is this farringtonite?
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 farringtonite with a known reference. Farringtonite sits at Mohs 6-7, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, wax yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: anhedral grains.
Often confused with
Farringtonite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside farringtonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with farringtonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mg₃(PO₄)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 6-7
- Density
- 2.74 g/cm³
- Colors
- WhiteWax yellow
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent to opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral grains
- Cleavage
- {100} and {010}, fair to good
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare component in pallasite meteorites, rimming and cementing olivine nodules
Where rockhounds find farringtonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Springwater, Krasnojarsk, Zaisho, Imilac, and Port Orford pallasite meteorites
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare component in pallasite meteorites, rimming and cementing olivine nodules. If you start seeing olivine, stanfieldite, troilite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: anhedral grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify farringtonite?+
Where is farringtonite found?+
What rocks look like farringtonite?+
What minerals are found with farringtonite?+
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What is farringtonite used for?+
Find farringtonite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
