Mitryaevaite is a rare phosphate mineral first discovered in the Karatau phosphorite deposits of Kazakhstan. It typically forms delicate, colorless to white tabular crystals or radiating sprays within sedimentary phosphate environments.

Hardness

3-4

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous, dull in massive nodules

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent in microcrystals

mineralrare

Mitryaevaite

Hardness: 3-4
Luster: Vitreous, dull in massive nodules
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent in microcrystals

No image

Is this mitryaevaite?

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 mitryaevaite with a known reference. Mitryaevaite sits at Mohs 3-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous, dull in massive nodules.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, colorless.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: encrustations, nodular, pulverulent.

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside mitryaevaite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Al₅(PO₄)₂[(P,S)O₃(OH,O)]₂F₂(OH)₂·14.5H₂O
Mohs hardness: 3-4
Density: 2.02 g/cm³
Colors: White Colorless
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous, dull in massive nodules
Transparency: Transparent in microcrystals
Crystal system: Triclinic
Crystal habit: Encrustations, nodular, pulverulent
Cleavage: On {001}, perfect; on {010}, {100}, good
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: A secondary mineral in fractures and veinlets, in altered and oxidized vanadium-bearing phosphatic black shales

Where rockhounds find mitryaevaite

Classic worldwide localities

Kurumsak Formation, from the Taldyk mining district, northwestern Kara-Tau Range to the Zhabagly Mountains, Tien-Shan, southern Kazakhstan

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: A secondary mineral in fractures and veinlets, in altered and oxidized vanadium-bearing phosphatic black shales. If you start seeing minyulite, crandallite, gorceixite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: encrustations, nodular, pulverulent. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify mitryaevaite?+

Mohs hardness is 3-4. Luster: vitreous, dull in massive nodules. The streak is white. Common colors include white, colorless.

Where is mitryaevaite found?+

Notable localities include Kurumsak Formation, from the Taldyk mining district, northwestern Kara-Tau Range to the Zhabagly Mountains, Tien-Shan, southern Kazakhstan.

What rocks look like mitryaevaite?+

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

What minerals are found with mitryaevaite?+

Mitryaevaite commonly co-occurs with Minyulite, Crandallite, Gorceixite, Wavellite, Variscite, Evansite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does mitryaevaite form in?+

Where it forms: A secondary mineral in fractures and veinlets, in altered and oxidized vanadium-bearing phosphatic black shales. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is mitryaevaite used for?+

Mitryaevaite is used in collector.

Find mitryaevaite on the map

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