Strontiowhitlockite is a rare phosphate mineral found primarily in complex granite pegmatites. It typically appears as small, colorless to pale tabular crystals and is most often identified through laboratory analysis due to its similarity to other members of the whitlockite group.
Is this strontiowhitlockite?
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 strontiowhitlockite with a known reference. Strontiowhitlockite 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. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: dull.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: fibrous, radial, rosette.
Often confused with
Strontiowhitlockite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside strontiowhitlockite
Minerals reported to co-occur with strontiowhitlockite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Sr₉Mg(PO₄)₆(HPO₄)
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 3.64 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Dull
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Fibrous, radial, rosette
- Cleavage
- On {0001}, fair, may be a parting
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Very rare, in cavities in a dolomite carbonatite vein cutting pyroxenites in an alkalic massif
Where rockhounds find strontiowhitlockite
Classic worldwide localities
- Zheleznyi iron ore deposit, Kovdor alkalic massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Very rare, in cavities in a dolomite carbonatite vein cutting pyroxenites in an alkalic massif. If you start seeing strontian collinsite, bobierrite, carbonate-fluorapatite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: fibrous, radial, rosette. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify strontiowhitlockite?+
Where is strontiowhitlockite found?+
What rocks look like strontiowhitlockite?+
What minerals are found with strontiowhitlockite?+
What kind of rock does strontiowhitlockite form in?+
What is strontiowhitlockite used for?+
Find strontiowhitlockite on the map
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