Phoxite is a rare hydrated phosphate mineral found primarily in complex phosphate-bearing granite pegmatites. It typically forms small, fragile, pearly white tabular crystals that are difficult to distinguish from other rare phosphates without chemical analysis.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Pearly

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Phoxite

Hardness: 2
Luster: Pearly
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

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Is this phoxite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch phoxite with a known reference. Phoxite sits at Mohs 2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Phoxite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Phoxite typically shows a pearly luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, colorless.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.

Often confused with

Phoxite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Gypsum

Mohs 2

How to tell apart: Luster reads pearly on Phoxite and vitreous on Gypsum.

How to tell apart: Luster reads pearly on Phoxite and vitreous on Brushite.

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Often found alongside phoxite

Minerals reported to co-occur with phoxite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: K₂Ca₂(Mg,Fe)₄(PO₄)₄·2H₂O
Mohs hardness: 2
Density: 2.44 g/cm³
Colors: White Colorless
Streak: White
Luster: Pearly
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Triclinic
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals
Cleavage: Perfect
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Phosphate-rich Granite Pegmatites
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find phoxite

Classic worldwide localities

Pleystein, Bavaria, Germany

Field-hunting tip

Look in phosphate-rich granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where phoxite typically forms. If you start seeing triplite, apatite, variscite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify phoxite?+

Mohs hardness is 2. It typically shows a pearly luster. The streak is white. Common colors include white, colorless.

Where is phoxite found?+

Notable localities include Pleystein, Bavaria, Germany.

How much is phoxite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like phoxite?+

Phoxite is most often confused with Gypsum, Brushite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with phoxite?+

Phoxite commonly co-occurs with Triplite, Apatite, Variscite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does phoxite form in?+

Phoxite typically forms in phosphate-rich granite pegmatites. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is phoxite used for?+

Phoxite is used in collector.

Find phoxite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.