Fluellite is a rare phosphate mineral typically found as small, sharp, colorless pyramidal crystals. It is most frequently collected from granite pegmatites and associated phosphate-rich hydrothermal deposits where it occurs as a secondary mineral.
Is this fluellite?
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 fluellite with a known reference. Fluellite sits at Mohs 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Fluellite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Fluellite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: pyramidal crystals, prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Fluellite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside fluellite
Minerals reported to co-occur with fluellite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Al₂PO₄F₂OH·7H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 2.17 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Pyramidal Crystals, Prismatic Crystals
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {011}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites, Hydrothermal Phosphate Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find fluellite
Classic worldwide localities
- Stenna Gwyn, Cornwall, England
- Sapucaia pegmatite, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Mangualde, Portugal
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites, hydrothermal phosphate veins country, the host setting where fluellite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, apatite, wavellite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a pyramidal crystals, prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find fluellite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
