Pahasapaite is an extremely rare beryllophosphate mineral found almost exclusively in the Tip Top Mine in South Dakota. It typically forms small, attractive dodecahedral crystals and is highly prized by collectors for its unique structure and intense fluorescence under ultraviolet light.
Is this pahasapaite?
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 pahasapaite with a known reference. Pahasapaite 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. Pahasapaite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Pahasapaite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, pink, white, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: dodecahedral crystals, crusts.
Often confused with
Pahasapaite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside pahasapaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with pahasapaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Li₈Ca₈Be₂₄P₂₄O₉₆·38H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 2.29 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Dodecahedral Crystals, Crusts
- Cleavage
- None
- Fluorescence
- Bright Yellow Under SW UV
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $100-500+ per specimen
Where rockhounds find pahasapaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tip Top Mine, South Dakota, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where pahasapaite typically forms. If you start seeing hurlbutite, roscherite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a dodecahedral crystals, crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify pahasapaite?+
Where is pahasapaite found?+
How much is pahasapaite worth?+
What rocks look like pahasapaite?+
What minerals are found with pahasapaite?+
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Find pahasapaite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
