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 — that is 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.
