Palermoite is a rare phosphate mineral typically found as small, clear, prismatic crystals or radial clusters within granite pegmatites. It is highly sought after by collectors of phosphate species and is most famously associated with the Palermo No. 1 Mine in New Hampshire.
Is this palermoite?
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 palermoite with a known reference. Palermoite sits at Mohs 5.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Palermoite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Palermoite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Palermoite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside palermoite
Minerals reported to co-occur with palermoite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- LiNa₂Al₄(PO₄)₄(OH)₄
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5
- Density
- 3.59 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Distinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find palermoite
Classic worldwide localities
- Palermo No. 1 Mine, North Groton, New Hampshire, USA
- Crosscut Creek, Yukon, Canada
- Mangualde, Viseu, Portugal
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where palermoite typically forms. If you start seeing beryllonite, amblygonite, triphylite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find palermoite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
