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 — that is 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?+
Where is graftonite found?+
How much is graftonite worth?+
What rocks look like graftonite?+
What minerals are found with graftonite?+
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Find graftonite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
