Phosphogartrellite is a rare secondary mineral found in the oxidation zones of lead-bearing ore deposits. It typically forms as thin, microscopic platy crystals that form crusts or coatings on other minerals like goethite or quartz.
Is this phosphogartrellite?
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 phosphogartrellite with a known reference. Phosphogartrellite sits at Mohs 4.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: yellow.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous to adamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: bright green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: aggregates, crystalline.
Often confused with
Phosphogartrellite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Phosphogartrellite leaves yellow, Gartrellite leaves bright yellow; luster reads vitreous to adamantine on Phosphogartrellite and chalky on Gartrellite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Phosphogartrellite leaves yellow, Beudantite leaves grayish yellow to green.
Often found alongside phosphogartrellite
Minerals reported to co-occur with phosphogartrellite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- PbCuFe(PO₄)₂(OH,H₂O)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5
- Density
- 5.05 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous to adamantine
- Transparency
- Transparent in thin fragments
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Aggregates, crystalline
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare secondary mineral, probably formed by oxidation of earlier sulfides in silicified barite veins
Where rockhounds find phosphogartrellite
Classic worldwide localities
- Hohenstein, near Reichenbach, and at Gadernheim, near Bensheim, Hesse, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare secondary mineral, probably formed by oxidation of earlier sulfides in silicified barite veins. If you start seeing hentschelite, pyromorphite, malachite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: aggregates, crystalline. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify phosphogartrellite?+
Where is phosphogartrellite found?+
Is phosphogartrellite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like phosphogartrellite?+
What minerals are found with phosphogartrellite?+
What kind of rock does phosphogartrellite form in?+
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Find phosphogartrellite on the map
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