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, so 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, so 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, 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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