Swaknoite is an extremely rare phosphate mineral typically found in guano-rich environments. It usually forms as small, colorless, acicular crystals associated with other phosphate minerals in cave deposits.
Is this swaknoite?
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 swaknoite with a known reference. Swaknoite sits at Mohs 2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Swaknoite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Swaknoite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: acicular or prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Swaknoite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside swaknoite
Minerals reported to co-occur with swaknoite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca(NH₄)₂(HPO₄)₂·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 1.74 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular or Prismatic Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Guano Deposits
Where rockhounds find swaknoite
Classic worldwide localities
- Swartkoppies, Namibia
Field-hunting tip
Look in guano deposits country, the host setting where swaknoite typically forms. If you start seeing hannayite, brushite, newberyite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular or prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify swaknoite?+
Where is swaknoite found?+
What rocks look like swaknoite?+
What minerals are found with swaknoite?+
What kind of rock does swaknoite form in?+
What is swaknoite used for?+
Find swaknoite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
