Goldquarryite is a rare phosphate mineral originally described from the Gold Quarry mine in Nevada. It typically forms small, white tabular crystals or aggregates within phosphate-rich ore zones.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Goldquarryite

Goldquarryite is a rare phosphate mineral originally described from the Gold Quarry mine in Nevada. It typically forms small, white tabular crystals or aggregates within phosphate-rich ore zones.

Hardness: 3
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

No image

Is this goldquarryite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch goldquarryite with a known reference. Goldquarryite sits at Mohs 3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Goldquarryite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Goldquarryite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, colorless.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, aggregates.

Often confused with

Goldquarryite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Variscite

Mohs 3.5-4.5

How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Goldquarryite and waxy on Variscite.

Often found alongside goldquarryite

Minerals reported to co-occur with goldquarryite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: CdAl₂(PO₄)₂(OH)₂·8H₂O
Mohs hardness: 3
Density: 2.83 g/cm³
Colors: White Colorless
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals, Aggregates
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Phosphate-rich Sedimentary Rock Environments
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find goldquarryite

Classic worldwide localities

Gold Quarry mine, Nevada, USA

Field-hunting tip

Look in phosphate-rich sedimentary rock environments country — that is the host setting where goldquarryite typically forms. If you start seeing variscite, wavellite, crandallite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify goldquarryite?+

Mohs hardness is 3. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include white, colorless.

Where is goldquarryite found?+

Notable localities include Gold Quarry mine, Nevada, USA.

How much is goldquarryite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like goldquarryite?+

Goldquarryite is most often confused with Variscite, Wavellite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with goldquarryite?+

Goldquarryite commonly co-occurs with variscite, wavellite, crandallite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does goldquarryite form in?+

Goldquarryite typically forms in phosphate-rich sedimentary rock environments. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is goldquarryite used for?+

Goldquarryite is used in collector.

Find goldquarryite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.