Laueite is a rare hydrated manganese iron phosphate mineral typically found as a secondary mineral in complex granite pegmatites. Collectors look for its characteristic orange-to-yellow tabular triclinic crystals that often form thin, delicate crusts or radial sprays on phosphate-bearing matrix rocks.
Is this laueite?
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 laueite with a known reference. Laueite 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. Laueite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Laueite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: orange, yellow, brownish-orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, often elongated or grouped in radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Laueite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside laueite
Minerals reported to co-occur with laueite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mn²⁺Fe³⁺₂(PO₄)₂(OH)₂·8H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 2.51 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Often Elongated or Grouped in Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Phosphate-rich Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find laueite
Classic worldwide localities
- Hagendorf, Germany
- Mangualde, Portugal
- Pleystein, Germany
- Llallagua, Bolivia
Field-hunting tip
Look in phosphate-rich granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where laueite typically forms. If you start seeing triphylite, hureaulite, rockbridgeite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, often elongated or grouped in radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find laueite on the map
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