Raadeite is an exceptionally rare magnesium phosphate mineral known almost exclusively from alkaline pegmatites in the Larvik area of Norway. It typically occurs as small, pale-colored tabular crystals that require microscopic examination or advanced testing for positive identification.

Hardness

4-5

Mohs

Luster

Pearly

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Raadeite

Hardness: 4-5
Luster: Pearly
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

No image

Is this raadeite?

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 raadeite with a known reference. Raadeite sits at Mohs 4-5, 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: pearly.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Wagnerite

Mohs 5-5.5

How to tell apart: Luster reads pearly on Raadeite and vitreous to slightly resinous on Wagnerite.

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Often found alongside raadeite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Mg₇(PO₄)₂(OH)₈
Mohs hardness: 4-5
Density: 2.806 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless
Streak: White
Luster: Pearly
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Tabular crystals
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Late metamorphic, under relatively low pressure and temperature, in nodules rich in apatite and Mg phosphates within a serpentinite body

Where rockhounds find raadeite

Classic worldwide localities

Tingelstadtjern, Modum district, southern Norway

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: Late metamorphic, under relatively low pressure and temperature, in nodules rich in apatite and Mg phosphates within a serpentinite body. If you start seeing apatite, althausite, magnesite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify raadeite?+

Mohs hardness is 4-5. Luster: pearly. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless.

Where is raadeite found?+

Notable localities include Tingelstadtjern, Modum district, southern Norway.

What rocks look like raadeite?+

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

What minerals are found with raadeite?+

Raadeite commonly co-occurs with Apatite, Althausite, Magnesite, Holtedahlite, Phosphoellenbergerite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does raadeite form in?+

Where it forms: Late metamorphic, under relatively low pressure and temperature, in nodules rich in apatite and Mg phosphates within a serpentinite body. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is raadeite used for?+

Raadeite is used in collector.

Find raadeite on the map

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