Leucophosphite is a rare hydrated potassium iron phosphate mineral that typically forms as a secondary mineral in phosphate-rich pegmatites. It is often found as small, platy, or chalky coatings and aggregates, frequently appearing in shades of white to yellowish-brown. Collectors generally look for it in associations with other iron-phosphate minerals like rockbridgeite and triphylite.
Is this leucophosphite?
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 leucophosphite with a known reference. Leucophosphite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Leucophosphite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Leucophosphite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, yellow, brown, greenish.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals, granular aggregates, coatings.
Often confused with
Leucophosphite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside leucophosphite
Minerals reported to co-occur with leucophosphite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- KFe₂³⁺(PO₄)₂(OH)·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 2.98 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Granular Aggregates, Coatings
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Phosphate-rich Pegmatites, Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $20-150 for micro-mounts or small cabinet specimens
Where rockhounds find leucophosphite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tip Top Mine, South Dakota, USA
- Big Fish River, Yukon, Canada
- Hagendorf, Bavaria, Germany
- Pala, California, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in phosphate-rich pegmatites, hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where leucophosphite typically forms. If you start seeing rockbridgeite, triphylite, variscite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, granular aggregates, coatings habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find leucophosphite on the map
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