Tavorite is a rare phosphate mineral primarily found in the alteration zones of lithium-rich pegmatites. It typically appears as yellowish-green masses or small crystalline aggregates associated with the oxidation of primary phosphate minerals like triphylite.
Is this tavorite?
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 tavorite with a known reference. Tavorite 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. Tavorite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Tavorite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow-green, olive-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: massive, rounded grains, or fine-grained aggregates.
Often confused with
Tavorite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside tavorite
Minerals reported to co-occur with tavorite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- LiFe³⁺(PO₄)(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 3.29 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Rounded Grains, Or Fine-grained Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per small specimen
Where rockhounds find tavorite
Classic worldwide localities
- Sapucaia pegmatite, Brazil
- Mangualde, Portugal
- Tip Top mine, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where tavorite typically forms. If you start seeing triphylite, lithiophilite, apatite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, rounded grains, or fine-grained aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find tavorite on the map
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