Switzerite is a rare manganese phosphate mineral known for its delicate, platy habit and pearly luster. It is typically found as a secondary mineral in phosphate-rich zones of granitic pegmatites, often as an alteration product of triphylite.
Is this switzerite?
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 switzerite with a known reference. Switzerite 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. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous, pearly on {001}.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pink, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals, micaceous aggregates.
Often confused with
Switzerite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside switzerite
Minerals reported to co-occur with switzerite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mn₃(PO₄)₂(H₂O)₇
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 2.535 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous, pearly on {001}
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy crystals, micaceous aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In complex zoned granite pegmatites
Where rockhounds find switzerite
Classic worldwide localities
- Foote mine, Kings Mountain, Cleveland Co., North Carolina, USA
- Tip Top mine, 8.5 km southwest of Custer, Custer Co., South Dakota, USA
- Emmons quarry, Greenwood, and the Bell Pit, Newry, Oxford Co., Maine, USA
- Tanco pegmatite, Bernic Lake, Manitoba, Canada
- Hagendorf, Bavaria, Germany
- Mangualde pegmatite, near Mesquitela, Portugal
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In complex zoned granite pegmatites. If you start seeing metaswitzerite, vivianite, huréaulite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy crystals, micaceous aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify switzerite?+
Where is switzerite found?+
What rocks look like switzerite?+
What minerals are found with switzerite?+
What kind of rock does switzerite form in?+
What is switzerite used for?+
Find switzerite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
