Simferite is a rare phosphate mineral characterized by its distinctive brown to reddish-brown hues and orthorhombic crystal structure. Collectors typically find it as rare prismatic or tabular crystals within specific granite pegmatite occurrences.
Is this simferite?
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 simferite with a known reference. Simferite 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. Simferite leaves a yellowish-brown streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Simferite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark brown, brownish-red, yellow-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic to tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Simferite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside simferite
Minerals reported to co-occur with simferite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- LiMg(Mn³⁺,Fe³⁺)(PO₄)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 4-5
- Density
- 3.5 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellowish-brown
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic to Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find simferite
Classic worldwide localities
- Simferopol, Crimea, Ukraine
- Mangyshlak Peninsula, Kazakhstan
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country, the host setting where simferite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, orthoclase, muscovite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic to tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find simferite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
