Kunatite is an extremely rare phosphate mineral typically found in the iron-rich phosphate deposits of the Yukon Territory. Collectors usually identify it by its distinct yellow color and orthorhombic prismatic crystal habit occurring in association with other rare phosphate species.
Is this kunatite?
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 kunatite with a known reference. Kunatite 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: pale yellow.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: silky (aggregates).
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Kunatite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Kunatite leaves pale yellow, Phosphosiderite leaves white; luster reads silky (aggregates) on Kunatite and vitreous to subresinous on Phosphosiderite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Kunatite leaves pale yellow, Strengite leaves white; luster reads silky (aggregates) on Kunatite and vitreous on Strengite.
Often found alongside kunatite
Minerals reported to co-occur with kunatite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CuFe₂(PO₄)₂(OH)₂·4H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 3.063 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale yellow
- Luster
- Silky (aggregates)
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic crystals
- Cleavage
- One || [001], possible
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Secondary along fractures and in vugs deposited from circulating groundwaters charged with P, U and Cu that were derived from oxidation of primary fluorapatite in granite
Where rockhounds find kunatite
Classic worldwide localities
- Lake Boga, northern Victoria, Australia (type locality)
- Huber mine, near Krasno, Czech Republic
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Secondary along fractures and in vugs deposited from circulating groundwaters charged with P, U and Cu that were derived from oxidation of primary fluorapatite in granite. If you start seeing chalcosiderite-turquoise, libethenite, pseudomalachite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify kunatite?+
Where is kunatite found?+
Is kunatite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like kunatite?+
What minerals are found with kunatite?+
What kind of rock does kunatite form in?+
What is kunatite used for?+
Find kunatite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
