Hagendorfite is a rare phosphate mineral primarily found as a late-stage alteration product in phosphate-rich granite pegmatites. It typically appears as dark, massive, or granular crusts associated with other complex iron-manganese phosphates.
Is this hagendorfite?
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 hagendorfite with a known reference. Hagendorfite sits at Mohs 3.5-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Hagendorfite leaves a light green streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Hagendorfite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, dark green, dark blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: massive, granular, or interstitial filling.
Often confused with
Hagendorfite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Hagendorfite leaves light green, Triplite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Hagendorfite leaves light green, Alluaudite leaves yellowish white; luster reads vitreous on Hagendorfite and vitreous to resinous on Alluaudite.
Often found alongside hagendorfite
Minerals reported to co-occur with hagendorfite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na(Fe²⁺,Mn²⁺)Fe³⁺₂(PO₄)₃
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 3.85 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Light Green
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Granular, Or Interstitial Filling
- Cleavage
- Poor
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $20-150 thumbnail
Where rockhounds find hagendorfite
Classic worldwide localities
- Hagendorf, Germany
- Mangualde, Portugal
- Tip Top Mine, South Dakota, USA
- Custer, South Dakota, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country, the host setting where hagendorfite typically forms. If you start seeing triphylite, sicklerite, phosphosiderite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, granular, or interstitial filling habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find hagendorfite on the map
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