Meitnerite is an extremely rare phosphate mineral typically found as small, tabular crystals within altered phosphate pegmatites. It is primarily a collector's mineral discovered in the Hagendorf-Pleystein pegmatite district of Germany. Because of its scarcity and small crystal size, it is seldom seen outside of specialized mineral collections.
Is this meitnerite?
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 meitnerite with a known reference. Meitnerite sits at Mohs 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Meitnerite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Meitnerite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Meitnerite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Triplite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4-5.5 vs. 3); luster reads metallic on Meitnerite and vitreous on Triplite.
How to tell apart: Meitnerite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3 vs. 1.5-2); streak differs, so Meitnerite leaves white, Vivianite leaves white to light blue; luster reads metallic on Meitnerite and vitreous on Vivianite.
Often found alongside meitnerite
Minerals reported to co-occur with meitnerite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- K₄Fe₃(PO₄)₄·3H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 4.55 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find meitnerite
Classic worldwide localities
- Hagendorf, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country, the host setting where meitnerite typically forms. If you start seeing triphylite, phosphosiderite, laueite 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
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Find meitnerite on the map
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