Flagstaffite is an extremely rare organic mineral found in fossiliferous sediments. It is known for its low specific gravity and tendency to form thin, transparent plates that may be sensitive to temperature changes.
Is this flagstaffite?
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 flagstaffite with a known reference. Flagstaffite sits at Mohs 1-2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Flagstaffite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Flagstaffite typically shows a resinous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, yellowish.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, bladed, or as an efflorescence.
Often confused with
Flagstaffite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside flagstaffite
Minerals reported to co-occur with flagstaffite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- C₁₀H₁₈O₃
- Mohs hardness
- 1-2
- Density
- 1.09 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Resinous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Bladed, Or as An Efflorescence
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Sedimentary Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find flagstaffite
Classic worldwide localities
- Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
- California, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in sedimentary deposits country — that is the host setting where flagstaffite typically forms. If you start seeing fichtelite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, bladed, or as an efflorescence habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find flagstaffite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
