Lithiophosphate is a rare lithium phosphate mineral typically found in complex granite pegmatites. It usually forms as small, tabular or blocky crystals in association with other lithium-bearing minerals like triphylite and beryl.
Is this lithiophosphate?
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 lithiophosphate with a known reference. Lithiophosphate sits at Mohs 4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Lithiophosphate leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Lithiophosphate typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, pink, yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, granular.
Often confused with
Lithiophosphate vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside lithiophosphate
Minerals reported to co-occur with lithiophosphate. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Li₃PO₄
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 2.45 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Massive, Granular
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {100}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $20-150 thumbnail specimens
Where rockhounds find lithiophosphate
Classic worldwide localities
- Tip Top mine, South Dakota, USA
- Hagendorf, Bavaria, Germany
- Karibib, Namibia
- Bikita, Zimbabwe
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where lithiophosphate typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, albite, muscovite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find lithiophosphate on the map
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