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, 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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