Kleemanite is an uncommon zinc aluminum phosphate mineral typically found as thin, colorless to white tabular crystals. It is most famous for its occurrences in the phosphate-rich environments of South Australia and the Yukon, where it often forms alongside other rare secondary phosphates.
Is this kleemanite?
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 kleemanite with a known reference. Kleemanite sits at Mohs 3, 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: bright [sic].
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, brownish yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: fibrous, microscopic crystals.
Often confused with
Kleemanite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside kleemanite
Minerals reported to co-occur with kleemanite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- ZnAl₂(PO₄)₂(OH)₂·3H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 2.84 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Bright [sic]
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Fibrous, microscopic crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare secondary mineral in the weathering zone of manganiferous iron ore
Where rockhounds find kleemanite
Classic worldwide localities
- Iron Monarch quarry, Iron Knob, South Australia, and at Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia
- Baokeng manganese deposit, Guangdong Province, China
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare secondary mineral in the weathering zone of manganiferous iron ore. If you start seeing jacobsite, turquoise in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: fibrous, microscopic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify kleemanite?+
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What rocks look like kleemanite?+
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Find kleemanite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
