Fluorcalciobritholite is a rare silicate member of the apatite supergroup typically found in alkaline syenites and pegmatites. Collectors look for its characteristic prismatic crystal habit and association with other rare alkaline minerals, though it is often identified primarily through chemical analysis due to its visual similarity to standard apatite.
Is this fluorcalciobritholite?
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 fluorcalciobritholite with a known reference. Fluorcalciobritholite sits at Mohs 5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Fluorcalciobritholite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Fluorcalciobritholite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown, yellow, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, anhedral grains.
Often confused with
Fluorcalciobritholite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside fluorcalciobritholite
Minerals reported to co-occur with fluorcalciobritholite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Ca,REE,Na)₅(SiO₄,PO₄)₃F
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 4.2-4.5 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Anhedral Grains
- Cleavage
- Indistinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Igneous Rocks
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find fluorcalciobritholite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kola Peninsula, Russia
- Khibiny Massif, Russia
- Mont Saint-Hilaire, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline igneous rocks country — that is the host setting where fluorcalciobritholite typically forms. If you start seeing nepheline, aegirine, eudialyte in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, anhedral grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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