Megawite is a rare phosphate mineral typically found as small tabular crystals in complex granite pegmatites. It is highly sought after by systematic mineral collectors due to its restricted occurrence and chemical significance in phosphate-rich pegmatite environments.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Megawite

Hardness: 4
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

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Is this megawite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch megawite with a known reference. Megawite sits at Mohs 4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Megawite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Megawite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.

Often confused with

Megawite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Wardite

Mohs 5

How to tell apart: Wardite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5 vs. 4).

How to tell apart: Goyazite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5 vs. 4).

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Often found alongside megawite

Minerals reported to co-occur with megawite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Ca₃Al₂(PO₄)₂(OH)₄
Mohs hardness: 4
Density: 2.79 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless White
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals
Cleavage: Perfect
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Granite Pegmatites
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find megawite

Classic worldwide localities

Tip Top mine, South Dakota, USA
Palermo mine, New Hampshire, USA

Field-hunting tip

Look in granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where megawite typically forms. If you start seeing roscherite, eosphorite, triphylite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify megawite?+

Mohs hardness is 4. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, white.

Where is megawite found?+

Notable localities include Tip Top mine, South Dakota, USA; Palermo mine, New Hampshire, USA.

How much is megawite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like megawite?+

Megawite is most often confused with Wardite, Goyazite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with megawite?+

Megawite commonly co-occurs with Roscherite, Eosphorite, Triphylite, Quartz. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does megawite form in?+

Megawite typically forms in granite pegmatites. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is megawite used for?+

Megawite is used in collector.

Find megawite on the map

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