Tinsleyite is an extremely rare phosphate mineral first discovered in the phosphate-rich rocks of the Rapid Creek area. It typically occurs as small, delicate, bladed crystal clusters or crusts associated with other iron and aluminum phosphates.

Hardness

3.5-4

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrareVariscite Group family

Tinsleyite

Hardness: 3.5-4
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this tinsleyite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch tinsleyite with a known reference. Tinsleyite sits at Mohs 3.5-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Tinsleyite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Tinsleyite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, colorless, pale pink.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: bladed crystals, aggregates.

Often confused with

Tinsleyite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Variscite

Mohs 3.5-4.5

How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Tinsleyite and waxy on Variscite.

Often found alongside tinsleyite

Minerals reported to co-occur with tinsleyite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: KAl₂(PO₄)₂(OH)·2H₂O
Mohs hardness: 3.5-4
Density: 2.5-2.6 g/cm³
Colors: White Colorless Pale Pink
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Bladed Crystals, Aggregates
Cleavage: Good
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Phosphate-rich Sedimentary Environments
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find tinsleyite

Classic worldwide localities

Spring Creek, Australia
Rapid Creek, Yukon, Canada

Field-hunting tip

Look in phosphate-rich sedimentary environments country — that is the host setting where tinsleyite typically forms. If you start seeing gormanite, phosphosiderite, arrojadite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a bladed crystals, aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify tinsleyite?+

Mohs hardness is 3.5-4. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include white, colorless, pale pink.

Where is tinsleyite found?+

Notable localities include Spring Creek, Australia; Rapid Creek, Yukon, Canada.

How much is tinsleyite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-300 per specimen. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like tinsleyite?+

Tinsleyite is most often confused with Variscite, Strengite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with tinsleyite?+

Tinsleyite commonly co-occurs with Gormanite, Phosphosiderite, Arrojadite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does tinsleyite form in?+

Tinsleyite typically forms in phosphate-rich sedimentary environments. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is tinsleyite used for?+

Tinsleyite is used in collector.

Find tinsleyite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.