Lithiophilite is a phosphate mineral commonly found in evolved granite pegmatites. It is often prized by collectors for its warm yellow to salmon-pink hues, though it frequently alters to dark, manganese-rich products like purpurite and sicklerite upon exposure to weathering.
Is this lithiophilite?
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 lithiophilite with a known reference. Lithiophilite sits at Mohs 4-5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Lithiophilite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Lithiophilite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brownish-yellow, pink, salmon-pink.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: short prismatic crystals, massive, granular.
Often confused with
Lithiophilite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside lithiophilite
Minerals reported to co-occur with lithiophilite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- LiMnPO₄
- Mohs hardness
- 4-5
- Density
- 3.4-3.5 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Short Prismatic Crystals, Massive, Granular
- Cleavage
- Good in Two Directions
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $20-200 depending on specimen size and clarity
Where rockhounds find lithiophilite
Classic worldwide localities
- Branchville, Connecticut, USA
- Pala, California, USA
- Karibib, Namibia
- Mangualde, Portugal
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country, the host setting where lithiophilite typically forms. If you start seeing triphylite, sicklerite, purpurite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a short prismatic crystals, massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify lithiophilite?+
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How much is lithiophilite worth?+
What rocks look like lithiophilite?+
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Find lithiophilite on the map
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