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 — that is 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.
