Fluorowardite is a rare phosphate mineral found in complex pegmatite environments. It typically occurs as small, sharp, pyramidal crystals often associated with its fluorine-deficient analogue, wardite. Collectors primarily find this species in highly specialized phosphate localities like the Tip Top mine.
Is this fluorowardite?
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 fluorowardite with a known reference. Fluorowardite sits at Mohs 4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Fluorowardite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Fluorowardite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: pyramidal crystals.
Often confused with
Fluorowardite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside fluorowardite
Minerals reported to co-occur with fluorowardite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaAl₃(PO₄)₂(OH)₄F₂
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 2.81 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Pyramidal Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Phosphate-rich Granitic Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on crystal size and quality
Where rockhounds find fluorowardite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tip Top Mine, South Dakota, USA
- Rapid Creek, Yukon, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in phosphate-rich granitic pegmatites country — that is the host setting where fluorowardite typically forms. If you start seeing wardite, cyrilovite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a pyramidal crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find fluorowardite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
