Rodolicoite is a rare iron phosphate mineral that typically occurs as small crystals or aggregates within granite pegmatites. It is often identified by its association with altered triphylite and its trigonal crystal structure, which is homeotypic to quartz. Collectors prize it as a rare mineralogical find from specific phosphatic pegmatite localities.
Is this rodolicoite?
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 rodolicoite with a known reference. Rodolicoite sits at Mohs 5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Rodolicoite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Rodolicoite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: microcrystalline aggregates.
Often confused with
Rodolicoite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside rodolicoite
Minerals reported to co-occur with rodolicoite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- FePO₄
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 3.37 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Microcrystalline Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find rodolicoite
Classic worldwide localities
- Ilha de Fogo, Cape Verde
- Santa Maria, Brazil
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where rodolicoite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, triphylite, dickinsonite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a microcrystalline aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find rodolicoite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
