Newberyite is a rare magnesium phosphate mineral typically formed by the reaction of magnesium-rich rocks with bat guano in cave environments. It commonly appears as small, colorless or white tabular crystals that are soft and brittle. Collectors primarily source it from classic localities like the Skipton Caves in Australia.
Is this newberyite?
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 newberyite with a known reference. Newberyite sits at Mohs 2.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Newberyite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Newberyite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, grayish-white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, granular.
Often confused with
Newberyite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside newberyite
Minerals reported to co-occur with newberyite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- MgHPO₄·3H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 2.1 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Massive, Granular
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {010}, Good On {100}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Guano-derived Phosphate Deposits in Caves
- Typical price
- $20-100 per specimen
Where rockhounds find newberyite
Classic worldwide localities
- Skipton Caves, Victoria, Australia
- Palau, Pacific Ocean
- various guano deposits
Field-hunting tip
Look in guano-derived phosphate deposits in caves country — that is the host setting where newberyite typically forms. If you start seeing struvite, brushite, gypsum in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find newberyite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
