Flurlite is a rare zinc iron phosphate, typically bright orange-red to dark maroon-red. It was approved as a distinct mineral species in 2014. It was first described from Cornelia mine open cut, Hagendorf-Süd pegmatite, Hagendorf, Oberpfalz, Bavaria, Germany.
Is this flurlite?
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 flurlite with a known reference. Flurlite sits at Mohs 2-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: buff.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: pearly.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: bright orange-red, dark maroon-red.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Flurlite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Flurlite leaves buff, Autunite leaves pale yellow; luster reads pearly on Flurlite and vitreous, pearly on {001} on Autunite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Flurlite leaves buff, Torbernite leaves pale green; luster reads pearly on Flurlite and vitreous, subadamantine, waxy, pearly on cleavages; becoming dull on dehydration to metatorbernite on Torbernite.
Often found alongside flurlite
Minerals reported to co-occur with flurlite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Zn²⁺Zn²⁺₃Fe³⁺(PO₄)₃(OH)₂(H₂O)₇·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 2.89 g/cm³
- Colors
- Bright orange-redDark maroon-red
- Streak
- Buff
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals
- Cleavage
- Excellent on {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A secondary mineral probably formed from the hydrothermal reaction of zinc-bearing fluids with primary Fe-Mn phosphate minerals (triphylite or zwieselite)
Where rockhounds find flurlite
Classic worldwide localities
- Cornelia mine open cut, Hagendorf-Süd pegmatite, Hagendorf, Oberpfalz, Bavaria, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A secondary mineral probably formed from the hydrothermal reaction of zinc-bearing fluids with primary Fe-Mn phosphate minerals (triphylite or zwieselite). If you start seeing mitridatite, plimerite, beraunite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify flurlite?+
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What rocks look like flurlite?+
What minerals are found with flurlite?+
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Find flurlite on the map
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