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 — that is 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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