Quadruphite is a rare phosphate-silicate mineral found predominantly in the hyper-alkaline environments of the Kola Peninsula in Russia. It typically appears as yellowish or colorless tabular crystals embedded within nepheline syenite pegmatites, often associated with other rare alkaline minerals.
Is this quadruphite?
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 quadruphite with a known reference. Quadruphite 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. Quadruphite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Quadruphite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brown, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, granular.
Often confused with
Quadruphite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Quadruphite leaves white, Lomonosovite leaves yellowish brown.
How to tell apart: Quadruphite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4-5 vs. 2-3); luster reads vitreous on Quadruphite and pearly on Murmanite.
Often found alongside quadruphite
Minerals reported to co-occur with quadruphite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₁₄CaMgTi₄(Si₂O₇)₂PO₄O₄F₂
- Mohs hardness
- 4-5
- Density
- 2.89 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Massive, Granular
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Igneous Rocks, Specifically Pegmatites in Nepheline Syenites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find quadruphite
Classic worldwide localities
- Khibiny Massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
- Lovozero Massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline igneous rocks, specifically pegmatites in nepheline syenites country — that is the host setting where quadruphite typically forms. If you start seeing aegirine, nepheline, microcline in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find quadruphite on the map
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