Gormanite is a rare hydrated iron aluminum phosphate mineral typically found as attractive sky-blue to deep blue bladed crystals. It is most famous for its occurrence in the phosphate deposits of the Big Fish River and Rapid Creek areas in the Yukon. Collectors primarily seek it for its vibrant blue color and its association with other rare phosphate species.
Is this gormanite?
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 gormanite with a known reference. Gormanite 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. Gormanite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Gormanite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: blue, greenish-blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: bladed crystals, radial aggregates, crusts.
Often confused with
Gormanite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside gormanite
Minerals reported to co-occur with gormanite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Fe²⁺₃Al₄(PO₄)₄(OH)₆·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 3.16 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Bladed Crystals, Radial Aggregates, Crusts
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Phosphate-rich Sedimentary Environments, Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on size and quality
Where rockhounds find gormanite
Classic worldwide localities
- Big Fish River, Yukon, Canada
- Rapid Creek, Yukon, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in phosphate-rich sedimentary environments, hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where gormanite typically forms. If you start seeing souzalite, ludlamite, vivianite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a bladed crystals, radial aggregates, crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify gormanite?+
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Find gormanite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
