Väyrynenite is a rare phosphate mineral highly prized by collectors for its attractive pink to salmon coloration. It is primarily found in granite pegmatites and is often associated with other beryllium-bearing minerals like beryl.
Is this väyrynenite?
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 väyrynenite with a known reference. Väyrynenite 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. Väyrynenite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Väyrynenite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pink, salmon, orange-pink.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, often striated or massive.
Often confused with
Väyrynenite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside väyrynenite
Minerals reported to co-occur with väyrynenite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- MnBe(PO₄)(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 3.2 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Often Striated or Massive
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {100}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Gemstone
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-500 per specimen
Where rockhounds find väyrynenite
Classic worldwide localities
- Viitaniemi, Finland
- Shaidu Valley, Pakistan
- Pala, California, USA
- Afghanistan
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where väyrynenite typically forms. If you start seeing beryl, quartz, muscovite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, often striated or massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find väyrynenite on the map
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