Rimkorolgite is a rare phosphate mineral primarily found in the oxidized zones of granite pegmatites. It typically appears as small, fragile, colorless to pale pink prismatic crystals that require microscopic examination for confident identification.
Is this rimkorolgite?
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 rimkorolgite with a known reference. Rimkorolgite sits at Mohs 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous, silky in aggregates.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellowish brown, pink.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: fibrous, prismatic, pseudo hexagonal.
Often confused with
Rimkorolgite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside rimkorolgite
Minerals reported to co-occur with rimkorolgite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- BaMg₅(PO₄)₄(H₂O)₇·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 2.67 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous, silky in aggregates
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Fibrous, prismatic, pseudo hexagonal
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In cavities in dolomitic carbonatites cutting jacupirangite and forsterite-magnetite iron ores in a differentiated alkalic massif
Where rockhounds find rimkorolgite
Classic worldwide localities
- Zheleznyi iron mine, Kovdor massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In cavities in dolomitic carbonatites cutting jacupirangite and forsterite-magnetite iron ores in a differentiated alkalic massif. If you start seeing collinsite, bobierrite, carbonate-fluorapatite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: fibrous, prismatic, pseudo hexagonal. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify rimkorolgite?+
Where is rimkorolgite found?+
What rocks look like rimkorolgite?+
What minerals are found with rimkorolgite?+
What kind of rock does rimkorolgite form in?+
What is rimkorolgite used for?+
Find rimkorolgite on the map
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