Pseudolaueite is a rare phosphate mineral that occurs as a secondary mineral in complex granite pegmatites. It is typically found as small, tabular crystals or drusy coatings associated with the alteration of primary triphylite.
Is this pseudolaueite?
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 pseudolaueite with a known reference. Pseudolaueite sits at Mohs 3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Pseudolaueite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Pseudolaueite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brownish-yellow, pale brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, drusy coatings.
Often confused with
Pseudolaueite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside pseudolaueite
Minerals reported to co-occur with pseudolaueite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mn²⁺Fe³⁺₂(PO₄)₂(OH)₂·8H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 2.55 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Drusy Coatings
- Cleavage
- Good On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find pseudolaueite
Classic worldwide localities
- Hagendorf, Germany
- Pleystein, Germany
- Tip Top Mine, South Dakota, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where pseudolaueite typically forms. If you start seeing triphylite, rockbridgeite, strengite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, drusy coatings habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find pseudolaueite on the map
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