Grischunite is a rare phosphate mineral originally discovered in the manganese deposits of the Falotta mine in Switzerland. It typically appears as reddish-brown massive or granular masses, making it a challenging mineral for field identification without specialized analytical methods.
Is this grischunite?
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 grischunite with a known reference. Grischunite 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. Grischunite leaves a yellowish-brown streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Grischunite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: reddish-brown, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: granular aggregates, rarely as small tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Grischunite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside grischunite
Minerals reported to co-occur with grischunite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaCaMn₂(Mn,Fe)₂(PO₄)₃
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 3.75 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellowish-brown
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Granular Aggregates, Rarely as Small Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Manganese-rich Cherts and Silicate Rocks
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find grischunite
Classic worldwide localities
- Falotta mine, Graubünden, Switzerland
Field-hunting tip
Look in manganese-rich cherts and silicate rocks country, the host setting where grischunite typically forms. If you start seeing braunite, rhodochrosite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a granular aggregates, rarely as small tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find grischunite on the map
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