Sarcopside is a rare phosphate mineral primarily found in complex granitic pegmatites. It typically occurs as massive, lamellar, or granular patches that exhibit a characteristic reddish-brown color, which can alter to a darker brown or black upon oxidation.
Is this sarcopside?
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 sarcopside with a known reference. Sarcopside sits at Mohs 4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Sarcopside leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Sarcopside typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown, reddish-brown, violet, blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: massive, granular, or lamellar.
Often confused with
Sarcopside vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside sarcopside
Minerals reported to co-occur with sarcopside. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Fe,Mn,Mg)₃(PO₄)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 3.75 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Granular, Or Lamellar
- Cleavage
- Perfect in One Direction
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $20-150 per specimen depending on rarity and quality
Where rockhounds find sarcopside
Classic worldwide localities
- Poland
- USA (New Hampshire)
- Germany
- Brazil
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country, the host setting where sarcopside typically forms. If you start seeing triphylite, quartz, beryl in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, granular, or lamellar habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find sarcopside on the map
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