Roscherite is a rare phosphate mineral typically found as small, elongated prismatic crystals or attractive radiating sprays in granitic pegmatites. Collectors look for its characteristic green to brownish hues and delicate habit when examining vugs in phosphate-rich zones. It is a highly sought-after species for micromount and cabinet collectors due to its aesthetic crystal formations.
Is this roscherite?
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 roscherite with a known reference. Roscherite sits at Mohs 4.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Roscherite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Roscherite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: green, brown, yellow, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, radial clusters, acicular.
Often confused with
Roscherite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside roscherite
Minerals reported to co-occur with roscherite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca(Mn,Fe,Mg)₄Be₄(PO₄)₆(OH)₄·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5
- Density
- 2.9 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Radial Clusters, Acicular
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {100}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $20-200 per specimen depending on size and crystal quality
Where rockhounds find roscherite
Classic worldwide localities
- Newry, Maine, USA
- Black Hills, South Dakota, USA
- Hagendorf, Bavaria, Germany
- Planitz, Saxony, Germany
- Brumado, Bahia, Brazil
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where roscherite typically forms. If you start seeing beryl, quartz, triplite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, radial clusters, acicular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify roscherite?+
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How much is roscherite worth?+
What rocks look like roscherite?+
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Find roscherite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
