Reddingite is a rare phosphate mineral typically found in phosphate-rich zones of granite pegmatites. It forms short, blocky, prismatic crystals or compact granular masses that are prized by advanced collectors of phosphate minerals.
Is this reddingite?
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 reddingite with a known reference. Reddingite sits at Mohs 3-3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Reddingite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Reddingite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pink, brownish-pink, yellowish-white, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: short prismatic crystals, granular masses.
Often confused with
Reddingite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside reddingite
Minerals reported to co-occur with reddingite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mn²⁺₃(PO₄)₂·3H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3-3.5
- Density
- 3.1-3.2 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Short Prismatic Crystals, Granular Masses
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {100}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $20-200 per specimen
Where rockhounds find reddingite
Classic worldwide localities
- Branchville, Connecticut, USA
- Poland, Maine, USA
- Hagendorf, Bavaria, Germany
- Rapid Creek, Yukon, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country, the host setting where reddingite typically forms. If you start seeing triphylite, eosphorite, dickinsonite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a short prismatic crystals, granular masses habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify reddingite?+
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Find reddingite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
