Kolbeckite is a rare scandium phosphate mineral often appearing as small, transparent apple-green crystals. It is highly sought after by collectors due to its status as a primary scandium-bearing mineral and its rarity in the field. It is most commonly found in association with hydrothermal vein deposits, particularly those containing tin and tungsten.
Is this kolbeckite?
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 kolbeckite with a known reference. Kolbeckite 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. Kolbeckite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Kolbeckite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: apple-green, blue-green, yellowish-green, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular to equant crystals, sometimes radiating aggregates or crusts.
Often confused with
Kolbeckite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside kolbeckite
Minerals reported to co-occur with kolbeckite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- ScPO₄·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 2.34-2.39 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular to Equant Crystals, Sometimes Radiating Aggregates or Crusts
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Tin-bearing Veins
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on size and quality
Where rockhounds find kolbeckite
Classic worldwide localities
- Saxony (Germany)
- Mount Weld (Australia)
- Kokchetav (Kazakhstan)
- Zinnwald (Czech Republic)
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal tin-bearing veins country — that is the host setting where kolbeckite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, wolframite, cassiterite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular to equant crystals, sometimes radiating aggregates or crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find kolbeckite on the map
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