Graftonite is a relatively rare phosphate mineral primarily found in granitic pegmatites. It is typically identified by its salmon-pink to brownish massive habit and association with other secondary phosphate minerals like triphylite.
Is this graftonite?
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 graftonite with a known reference. Graftonite sits at Mohs 5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Graftonite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Graftonite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: salmon-pink, brown, reddish-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: massive, granular, or rarely as flattened prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Graftonite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside graftonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with graftonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Fe²⁺,Mn²⁺,Ca)₃(PO₄)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 3.67 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Granular, Or Rarely as Flattened Prismatic Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect {010}, Good {100}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $20-150 for thumbnail to small cabinet specimens
Where rockhounds find graftonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Grafton, New Hampshire, USA
- Nickel Plate mine, South Dakota, USA
- Pleystein, Bavaria, Germany
- Norrö, Sweden
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country, the host setting where graftonite typically forms. If you start seeing triphylite, beryl, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, granular, or rarely as flattened prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify graftonite?+
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How much is graftonite worth?+
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Find graftonite on the map
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