Svanbergite is a relatively uncommon sulfate-phosphate mineral often found as small, rhombohedral crystals. It is highly valued by collectors for its frequent bright fluorescence under UV light and its presence in metamorphosed sedimentary sequences.
Is this svanbergite?
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 svanbergite with a known reference. Svanbergite sits at Mohs 4.5-5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Svanbergite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Svanbergite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, yellow, pink, red, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: rhombohedral crystals, sometimes tabular or massive.
Often confused with
Svanbergite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside svanbergite
Minerals reported to co-occur with svanbergite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- SrAl₃(PO₄)(SO₄)(OH)₆
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5-5
- Density
- 3.27-3.32 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Rhombohedral Crystals, Sometimes Tabular or Massive
- Cleavage
- Distinct On Basal Plane
- Fluorescence
- Often Orange or Yellow Under UV Light
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphic Rocks, Specifically Kyanite-quartzites
- Typical price
- $10-60 per specimen
Where rockhounds find svanbergite
Classic worldwide localities
- Västanå Mine, Sweden
- Horrsjöberg, Sweden
- Diamond Hill, South Carolina, USA
- Rapid Creek, Yukon, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphic rocks, specifically kyanite-quartzites country — that is the host setting where svanbergite typically forms. If you start seeing lazulite, kyanite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a rhombohedral crystals, sometimes tabular or massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find svanbergite on the map
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