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. Strontiowhitlockite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Strontiowhitlockite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive.
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
- 3.17 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find strontiowhitlockite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tip Top Mine, South Dakota, USA
- Palermo No. 1 Mine, New Hampshire, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where strontiowhitlockite typically forms. If you start seeing apatite, triphylite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify strontiowhitlockite?+
Where is strontiowhitlockite found?+
How much is strontiowhitlockite worth?+
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What minerals are found with strontiowhitlockite?+
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Find strontiowhitlockite on the map
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