Herderite is a rare beryllium phosphate mineral typically found in granitic pegmatites. Collectors prize its well-formed, often tabular or prismatic crystals, which can display exceptional clarity and color when faceted.
Is this herderite?
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 herderite with a known reference. Herderite sits at Mohs 5-5.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, yellowish white, greenish white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: short prismatic crystals, often twinned or etched.
Often confused with
Herderite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside herderite
Minerals reported to co-occur with herderite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaBePO₄F
- Mohs hardness
- 5-5.5
- Density
- 3.02 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Short prismatic crystals, often twinned or etched
- Cleavage
- Indistinct on {110}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Gemstone
- Host rock
- Probably from a complex granite pegmatite
Where rockhounds find herderite
Classic worldwide localities
- Originally found in Germany, at Ehrenfriedersdorf, Saxony, but the analysis showing F > OH is suspect and any material from this locality seems unavailable
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Probably from a complex granite pegmatite. If you start seeing quartz, albite, tourmaline in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: short prismatic crystals, often twinned or etched. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify herderite?+
Where is herderite found?+
Is herderite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like herderite?+
What minerals are found with herderite?+
What kind of rock does herderite form in?+
What is herderite used for?+
Find herderite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
