Mitridatite is a secondary phosphate mineral most commonly found as earthy or botryoidal masses in iron-rich sedimentary environments. It is characterized by its distinctive olive-green color and typically forms as an alteration product of other phosphate minerals like vivianite.
Is this mitridatite?
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 mitridatite with a known reference. Mitridatite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Mitridatite leaves a yellowish-white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Mitridatite typically shows a dull luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: green, dark green, yellow-green, olive-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: fibrous, botryoidal, massive, crusts.
Often confused with
Mitridatite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Mitridatite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3.5 vs. 1.5-2); streak differs — Mitridatite leaves yellowish-white, Vivianite leaves white to light blue; luster reads dull on Mitridatite and vitreous on Vivianite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Mitridatite leaves yellowish-white, Strengite leaves white; luster reads dull on Mitridatite and vitreous on Strengite.
Often found alongside mitridatite
Minerals reported to co-occur with mitridatite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₂Fe³⁺₃(PO₄)₃O₂·3H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 3.2 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellowish-white
- Luster
- Dull
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Fibrous, Botryoidal, Massive, Crusts
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Phosphate-rich Pegmatites and Iron-rich Sedimentary Deposits
- Typical price
- $10-60 for small samples and micro-mounts
Where rockhounds find mitridatite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kerch Peninsula, Crimea
- Lavra da Ilha, Brazil
- Hagendorf-Pleystein, Germany
- Tip Top mine, South Dakota, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in phosphate-rich pegmatites and iron-rich sedimentary deposits country — that is the host setting where mitridatite typically forms. If you start seeing vivianite, goethite, anapaite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a fibrous, botryoidal, massive, crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find mitridatite on the map
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