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 — 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 — that is 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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