Garyansellite is a rare phosphate mineral often found in complex phosphate nodules in sedimentary environments. Collectors primarily look for its characteristic yellowish prismatic crystals or radiating clusters, frequently occurring in the Yukon phosphate occurrences.
Is this garyansellite?
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 garyansellite with a known reference. Garyansellite 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. Streak: brown.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous, bronze [sic] on cleavages.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Garyansellite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Garyansellite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4 vs. 1.5-2); streak differs, so Garyansellite leaves brown, Vivianite leaves white, altering to dark blue, brown.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Garyansellite leaves brown, Ludlamite leaves pale greenish white.
Often found alongside garyansellite
Minerals reported to co-occur with garyansellite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Mg,Fe²⁺)₃(PO₄)₂(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 3.16 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Brown
- Luster
- Vitreous, bronze [sic] on cleavages
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic crystals, radial aggregates
- Cleavage
- {001}, good
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare low-temperature mineral in fractures in a sedimentary iron formation
Where rockhounds find garyansellite
Classic worldwide localities
- East side of Rapid Creek, about one km north of the junction with Lake Creek, Yukon Territory, Canada (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare low-temperature mineral in fractures in a sedimentary iron formation. If you start seeing kryzhanovskite, ludlamite, arrojadite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, radial aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify garyansellite?+
Where is garyansellite found?+
What rocks look like garyansellite?+
What minerals are found with garyansellite?+
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Find garyansellite on the map
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