Gordonite is a rare hydrated phosphate mineral often found as delicate, colorless to white tabular crystals or radiating sprays. It is most famous among collectors for specimens from the variscite deposits of Fairfield, Utah, where it occurs within phosphate nodules.

Hardness

3.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Gordonite

Hardness: 3.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this gordonite?

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 gordonite with a known reference. Gordonite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Gordonite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Gordonite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, white, pale yellow.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, radiating aggregates.

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside gordonite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: MgAl₂(PO₄)₂(OH)₂·8H₂O
Mohs hardness: 3.5
Density: 2.54 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless White Pale Yellow
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Triclinic
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals, Radiating Aggregates
Cleavage: Perfect On {010}
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Phosphate Nodules in Clay, Hydrothermal Veins
Typical price: $20-150 for micro-mounts or small specimens

Where rockhounds find gordonite

Classic worldwide localities

Fairfield, Utah, USA
Rapid Creek, Yukon, Canada
Boa Vista, Brazil

Field-hunting tip

Look in phosphate nodules in clay, hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where gordonite typically forms. If you start seeing variscite, wardite, pseudowavellite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, radiating aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify gordonite?+

Mohs hardness is 3.5. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, white, pale yellow.

Where is gordonite found?+

Notable localities include Fairfield, Utah, USA; Rapid Creek, Yukon, Canada; Boa Vista, Brazil.

How much is gordonite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $20-150 for micro-mounts or small specimens. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like gordonite?+

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

What minerals are found with gordonite?+

Gordonite commonly co-occurs with Variscite, Wardite, Pseudowavellite, Montgomeryite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does gordonite form in?+

Gordonite typically forms in phosphate nodules in clay, hydrothermal veins. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is gordonite used for?+

Gordonite is used in collector.

Find gordonite on the map

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