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, 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
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
