Qingheiite is a rare phosphate mineral first discovered in the pegmatites of China. It typically forms as yellowish to brownish crystalline aggregates within complex granitic systems, often associated with other phosphate minerals like lithiophilite.

Hardness

5.3-5.6

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Semitransparent

mineralrareWagnerite Group family

Qingheiite

Hardness: 5.3-5.6
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Semitransparent

Is this qingheiite?

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 qingheiite with a known reference. Qingheiite sits at Mohs 5.3-5.6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: yellow green, jade green, light yellow green.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: acicular, prismatic.

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside qingheiite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: NaNaMn(MgAl)(PO₄)₃
Mohs hardness: 5.3-5.6
Density: 3.718 g/cm³
Colors: Yellow greenJade greenLight yellow green
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Semitransparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Acicular, prismatic
Cleavage: On {010}, imperfect
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In a muscovite-rich pegmatite

Where rockhounds find qingheiite

Classic worldwide localities

Qinghe County, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China (type locality)

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In a muscovite-rich pegmatite. If you start seeing muscovite, quartz, microcline in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: acicular, prismatic. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify qingheiite?+

Mohs hardness is 5.3-5.6. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include yellow green, jade green, light yellow green.

Where is qingheiite found?+

Notable localities include Qinghe County, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China (type locality).

What rocks look like qingheiite?+

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

What minerals are found with qingheiite?+

Qingheiite commonly co-occurs with Muscovite, Quartz, Microcline, Braunite, Pyrolusite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does qingheiite form in?+

Where it forms: In a muscovite-rich pegmatite. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is qingheiite used for?+

Qingheiite is used in collector.

Find qingheiite on the map

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