Lipscombite is a rare phosphate mineral often found as dark green, pseudocubic crystals within phosphate-rich pegmatites. It is typically a secondary mineral formed by the alteration of primary phosphate species like triphylite. Collectors typically prize it for its association with other rare secondary phosphates in vugs.
Is this lipscombite?
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 lipscombite with a known reference. Lipscombite 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. Lipscombite leaves a light green streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Lipscombite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark green, olive green, black, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: pseudocubic crystals, massive, granular.
Often confused with
Lipscombite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Lipscombite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 1.5-2); streak differs — Lipscombite leaves light green, Vivianite leaves white to light blue.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Lipscombite leaves light green, Ludlamite leaves white.
Often found alongside lipscombite
Minerals reported to co-occur with lipscombite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Fe²⁺Fe³⁺₂(PO₄)₂(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 3.3-3.4 g/cm³
- Streak
- Light Green
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Pseudocubic Crystals, Massive, Granular
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Phosphate-rich Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $20-150 for small specimens
Where rockhounds find lipscombite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tip Top mine, South Dakota, USA
- Sapucaia pegmatite, Brazil
- Hagendorf, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Look in phosphate-rich granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where lipscombite typically forms. If you start seeing triphylite, fairfieldite, strengite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a pseudocubic crystals, massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find lipscombite on the map
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