Tiptopite is an extremely rare phosphate mineral known primarily from the Tip Top mine in the Black Hills of South Dakota. It typically forms delicate, needle-like crystals that appear in radiating sprays within phosphate-rich pegmatites.

Hardness

3.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Tiptopite

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

Is this tiptopite?

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 tiptopite with a known reference. Tiptopite sits at Mohs 3.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Tiptopite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Tiptopite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, colorless, pink.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: acicular or fibrous crystals, often as radial sprays.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Beryllonite

Mohs 5.5-6

How to tell apart: Beryllonite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5.5-6 vs. 3.5).

How to tell apart: Hurlbutite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6 vs. 3.5).

Compare →

Often found alongside tiptopite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: K₂Na₄Li₃Be₆(PO₄)₆(OH)₂·2H₂O
Mohs hardness: 3.5
Density: 2.79 g/cm³
Colors: White Colorless Pink
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Hexagonal
Crystal habit: Acicular or Fibrous Crystals, Often as Radial Sprays
Cleavage: Good On {10-10}
Fluorescence: Bright Yellow Under SW UV
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Granite Pegmatites
Typical price: $50-300 per specimen

Where rockhounds find tiptopite

Classic worldwide localities

Tip Top Mine, South Dakota, USA

Field-hunting tip

Look in granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where tiptopite typically forms. If you start seeing beryl, roscherite, eosphorite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular or fibrous crystals, often as radial sprays habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify tiptopite?+

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

Where is tiptopite found?+

Notable localities include Tip Top Mine, South Dakota, USA.

How much is tiptopite 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.

Is tiptopite safe to handle?+

It contains toxic constituents. Contains beryllium, which is toxic if inhaled as dust or ingested. Handle specimens with care to avoid creating powder. Handle with care, avoid grinding or breathing dust, and store separately.

What rocks look like tiptopite?+

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

What minerals are found with tiptopite?+

Tiptopite commonly co-occurs with beryl, roscherite, eosphorite, triphylite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does tiptopite form in?+

Tiptopite typically forms in granite pegmatites. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is tiptopite used for?+

Tiptopite is used in collector.

Find tiptopite on the map

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