Satterlyite is a rare iron phosphate mineral typically found as small, deep blue to greenish-blue crystals or crystalline masses. It is most famous for its occurrence in the phosphate-rich nodules of the Yukon Territory in Canada, often sought after by advanced mineral collectors specializing in rare phosphates.
Is this satterlyite?
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 satterlyite with a known reference. Satterlyite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Satterlyite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Satterlyite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: blue, greenish-blue.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, anhedral grains.
Often confused with
Satterlyite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside satterlyite
Minerals reported to co-occur with satterlyite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Fe₂⁺₂(PO₄)(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 3.66 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Anhedral Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Phosphate Nodules in Sedimentary Iron Formation
- Typical price
- $50-300 per thumbnail specimen
Where rockhounds find satterlyite
Classic worldwide localities
- Big Fish River, Yukon Territory, Canada
- Rapid Creek, Yukon Territory, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in phosphate nodules in sedimentary iron formation country — that is the host setting where satterlyite typically forms. If you start seeing wolfeite, arrojadite, childrenite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, anhedral grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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How much is satterlyite worth?+
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Find satterlyite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
