Wagnerite is a rare phosphate mineral often found in granitic pegmatites and metamorphosed rocks. It typically forms translucent to transparent, short prismatic crystals that can be difficult to distinguish from common phosphate minerals like apatite without chemical testing.
Is this wagnerite?
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 wagnerite with a known reference. Wagnerite sits at Mohs 5-5.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Wagnerite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Wagnerite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish-brown, greenish-yellow, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: short prismatic crystals, massive.
Often confused with
Wagnerite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside wagnerite
Minerals reported to co-occur with wagnerite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Mg,Fe²⁺)₂PO₄F
- Mohs hardness
- 5-5.5
- Density
- 3.17 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Short Prismatic Crystals, Massive
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {110}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Research
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites, Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $50-500 thumbnail
Where rockhounds find wagnerite
Classic worldwide localities
- Werfen, Salzburg, Austria
- Iveland, Norway
- Pala, California, USA
- Sapo Mine, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites, hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where wagnerite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, k-feldspar, muscovite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a short prismatic crystals, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find wagnerite on the map
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