Phosphoinnelite is an extremely rare barium-sodium-titanium silicate phosphate occurring in hyperalkaline pegmatite complexes. It typically appears as yellowish-brown lamellar or platy crystals often associated with other rare titanium minerals in the Kola Peninsula. Collectors value it for its complex chemical structure and scarcity in global mineral markets.
Is this phosphoinnelite?
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 phosphoinnelite with a known reference. Phosphoinnelite 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. Phosphoinnelite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Phosphoinnelite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: lamellar crystals.
Often confused with
Phosphoinnelite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside phosphoinnelite
Minerals reported to co-occur with phosphoinnelite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ba₄Na₃Ti₃Si₄O₁₇(PO₄)(SO₄)F
- Mohs hardness
- 4-5
- Density
- 3.55 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Lamellar Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find phosphoinnelite
Classic worldwide localities
- Khibiny Massif, Russia
- Lovozero Massif, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline pegmatites country — that is the host setting where phosphoinnelite typically forms. If you start seeing nepheline, aegirine, microcline in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a lamellar crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find phosphoinnelite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
