Maghagendorfite is a rare phosphate mineral member of the Alluaudite group, primarily occurring as a secondary mineral in complex granite pegmatites. Collectors look for its characteristic yellowish-brown hues, often found as granular aggregates or alteration crusts surrounding primary phosphate minerals like triphylite.
Is this maghagendorfite?
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 maghagendorfite with a known reference. Maghagendorfite sits at Mohs 3.5-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Maghagendorfite leaves a yellowish-white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Maghagendorfite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brown, greenish-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: granular masses, crusts, or rare prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Maghagendorfite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Maghagendorfite leaves yellowish-white, Alluaudite leaves yellowish white; luster reads vitreous on Maghagendorfite and vitreous to resinous on Alluaudite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Maghagendorfite leaves yellowish-white, Triphylite leaves white.
Often found alongside maghagendorfite
Minerals reported to co-occur with maghagendorfite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaMn₂Fe₂(PO₄)₃
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 3.4-3.5 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellowish-white
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Granular Masses, Crusts, Or Rare Prismatic Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $20-150 for rare specimen fragments
Where rockhounds find maghagendorfite
Classic worldwide localities
- Hagendorf-Pleystein pegmatite district, Germany
- Sapucaia pegmatite, Brazil
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where maghagendorfite typically forms. If you start seeing triphylite, rockbridgeite, vivianite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a granular masses, crusts, or rare prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find maghagendorfite on the map
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