Lasnierite is a rare phosphate mineral characterized by its distinctive blue color and occurrences within granitic pegmatites. It is typically found as small, isolated crystals in association with other phosphate minerals, requiring microscopic examination for positive identification.
Is this lasnierite?
3-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 lasnierite with a known reference. Lasnierite sits at Mohs 4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pale pinkish brown, nearly colorless.
- 3Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: equant to short prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Lasnierite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Tavorite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5 vs. 4).
How to tell apart: Amblygonite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5.5-6 vs. 4).
How to tell apart: Lazulite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5.5-6 vs. 4).
Often found alongside lasnierite
Minerals reported to co-occur with lasnierite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaMg₂Al(PO₄)₃
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 3.162 g/cm³
- Colors
- Pale pinkish brownNearly colorless
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Equant to short prismatic crystals
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- As inclusions in a 1.97 carat, faceted, oval piece of lazulite-bearing blue quartzite
Where rockhounds find lasnierite
Classic worldwide localities
- Mount Ibity (Bity), ~30 km NNE of Soavina, Ambatofinandrahana district, Antananarivo Province, Madagascar
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: As inclusions in a 1.97 carat, faceted, oval piece of lazulite-bearing blue quartzite. If you start seeing quartz, lazulite, chlorapatite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: equant to short prismatic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify lasnierite?+
Where is lasnierite found?+
What rocks look like lasnierite?+
What minerals are found with lasnierite?+
What kind of rock does lasnierite form in?+
What is lasnierite used for?+
Find lasnierite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
