Stanfieldite is a rare phosphate mineral primarily known for its occurrence in stony-iron meteorites like pallasites. It typically forms as small, microscopic inclusions within the silicate and metallic phases of these extraterrestrial rocks.
Is this stanfieldite?
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 stanfieldite with a known reference. Stanfieldite sits at Mohs 5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Stanfieldite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Stanfieldite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: anhedral to subhedral grains.
Often confused with
Stanfieldite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside stanfieldite
Minerals reported to co-occur with stanfieldite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₄Mg₅(PO₄)₆
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 3.16 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral to Subhedral Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Pallasitic Meteorites
- Typical price
- n/a (extremely rare meteorite specimen only)
Where rockhounds find stanfieldite
Classic worldwide localities
- Springwater pallasite meteorite
- Imilac pallasite meteorite
Field-hunting tip
Look in pallasitic meteorites country — that is the host setting where stanfieldite typically forms. If you start seeing olivine, kamacite, taenite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral to subhedral grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find stanfieldite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
