Kingite is a rare hydrous aluminum phosphate mineral that typically forms white, chalky or porcellanous crusts in weathered phosphate deposits. It is a secondary mineral often found as an alteration product of other aluminum phosphates like wavellite. Collectors usually identify it by its distinct massive, dull appearance and its association with other phosphate minerals in secondary weathering zones.
Is this kingite?
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 kingite with a known reference. Kingite sits at Mohs 2, 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 to dull.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: irregular grains, nodular, platy.
Often confused with
Kingite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Wavellite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 2).
How to tell apart: Variscite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.5 vs. 2).
How to tell apart: Crandallite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5 vs. 2).
Often found alongside kingite
Minerals reported to co-occur with kingite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Al₃(PO₄)₂F₂(OH)·7H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 2.21-2.30 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Irregular grains, nodular, platy
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Of secondary origin, precipitated in fractured rock by meteoric water
Where rockhounds find kingite
Classic worldwide localities
- Wilson Springs (Potash Sulphur Springs) mine, Garland Co., Arkansas, USA
- Gold Quarry mine, near Carlin, Maggie Creek district, Eureka Co., Nevada, USA
- Fairview phosphate quarry, about 21 km north of Robertstown, in a quarry near Clinton, and at Tom’s quarry, near Kapunda, South Australia
- Weckersdorf quarry, near Schleitz, and Ronneburg, Thuringia, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Of secondary origin, precipitated in fractured rock by meteoric water. If you start seeing halite, talc, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: irregular grains, nodular, platy. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify kingite?+
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What rocks look like kingite?+
What minerals are found with kingite?+
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Find kingite on the map
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