Pretulite is a rare scandium phosphate mineral that typically occurs as tiny, colorless, sharp dipyramidal crystals. It is best known from its type locality in the Pretul area of Austria, where it is found within metamorphic schists. Due to its scarcity and minute crystal size, it is a highly sought-after rarity for advanced mineral collectors.
Is this pretulite?
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 pretulite with a known reference. Pretulite 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. Pretulite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Pretulite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: small dipyramidal crystals.
Often confused with
Pretulite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside pretulite
Minerals reported to co-occur with pretulite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- ScPO₄
- Mohs hardness
- 4-5
- Density
- 4.86 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Small Dipyramidal Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphic Rocks, Specifically White Schist
- Typical price
- $100-500 per specimen
Where rockhounds find pretulite
Classic worldwide localities
- Pretul, Styria, Austria
- Norway
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphic rocks, specifically white schist country — that is the host setting where pretulite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, muscovite, albite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a small dipyramidal crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find pretulite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
