Richellite is an uncommon phosphate mineral that typically occurs as compact crusts or reniform masses. It is primarily identified by its characteristic yellowish color and association with other phosphate minerals in sedimentary occurrences.
Is this richellite?
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 richellite with a known reference. Richellite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Richellite leaves a yellowish streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Richellite typically shows a dull luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brownish-yellow, yellow-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: crusts, reniform masses.
Often confused with
Richellite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Richellite leaves yellowish, Dufrénite leaves light green; luster reads dull on Richellite and vitreous on Dufrénite.
How to tell apart: Rockbridgeite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.5 vs. 3.5); streak differs — Richellite leaves yellowish, Rockbridgeite leaves greenish-brown; luster reads dull on Richellite and vitreous on Rockbridgeite.
Often found alongside richellite
Minerals reported to co-occur with richellite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaFe³⁺₂(PO₄)₂(OH)₂·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 2.8 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellowish
- Luster
- Dull
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Crusts, Reniform Masses
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Phosphate-rich Sedimentary Environments
- Typical price
- $20-100 per specimen
Where rockhounds find richellite
Classic worldwide localities
- Visé, Belgium
- Hagendorf, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Look in phosphate-rich sedimentary environments country — that is the host setting where richellite typically forms. If you start seeing wavellite, variscite, limonite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a crusts, reniform masses habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find richellite on the map
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