Kulanite is a rare phosphate mineral recognized for its distinctive blue to blue-green color and blocky crystal habit. It is most famous among collectors for specimens found in the remote phosphate occurrences of the Yukon Territory, often occurring as well-formed crystals associated with other rare phosphate species.
Is this kulanite?
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 kulanite with a known reference. Kulanite sits at Mohs 4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Kulanite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Kulanite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: blue, blue-green, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular to blocky crystals, often as small aggregates or crusts.
Often confused with
Kulanite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside kulanite
Minerals reported to co-occur with kulanite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- BaFe²⁺₂Al₂(PO₄)₃(OH)₃
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 3.84 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular to Blocky Crystals, Often as Small Aggregates or Crusts
- Cleavage
- Good in One Direction
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Phosphate-rich Hydrothermal Veins in Sedimentary Rocks
- Typical price
- $50-300 for micro-specimens
Where rockhounds find kulanite
Classic worldwide localities
- Big Fish River, Yukon, Canada
- Rapid Creek, Yukon, Canada
- Hagendorf, Bavaria, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Look in phosphate-rich hydrothermal veins in sedimentary rocks country — that is the host setting where kulanite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, vivianite, siderite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular to blocky crystals, often as small aggregates or crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify kulanite?+
Where is kulanite found?+
How much is kulanite worth?+
What rocks look like kulanite?+
What minerals are found with kulanite?+
What kind of rock does kulanite form in?+
What is kulanite used for?+
Find kulanite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
