Matioliite is a rare phosphate mineral found in complex granite pegmatites. It typically occurs as small, sharp, bipyramidal crystals that can be transparent to translucent, often found associated with other phosphate minerals.
Is this matioliite?
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 matioliite with a known reference. Matioliite sits at Mohs 5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Matioliite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Matioliite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, light blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: bipyramidal crystals.
Often confused with
Matioliite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside matioliite
Minerals reported to co-occur with matioliite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaZn₃Al₆(PO₄)₄(OH,F)₁₂
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 2.83 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Bipyramidal Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find matioliite
Classic worldwide localities
- Brazil
- Czech Republic
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where matioliite typically forms. If you start seeing amblygonite, montebrasite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a bipyramidal crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find matioliite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
