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