Whiteite-(CaFeMg) is a complex phosphate mineral typically found as small, distinct yellow-to-brown tabular crystals. It is highly prized by collectors of rare phosphate species, often occurring in association with other secondary phosphates in hydrothermal vein environments.

Hardness

3-4

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous to dull

Streak

White

Transparency

Semitransparent

mineralrareWhiteite Group family

Whiteite-(CaFeMg)

Hardness: 3-4
Luster: Vitreous to dull
Streak: White
Transparency: Semitransparent

Is this whiteite-(cafemg)?

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 whiteite-(cafemg) with a known reference. Whiteite-(CaFeMg) sits at Mohs 3-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous to dull.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: yellow, yellow brown.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: aggregates, tabular.

Often confused with

Whiteite-(CaFeMg) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

How to tell apart: Wardite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5 vs. 3-4).

Compare →

Often found alongside whiteite-(cafemg)

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

All properties

Chemical formula: CaFe²⁺Mg₂Al₂(PO₄)₄(OH)₂·8H₂O
Mohs hardness: 3-4
Density: 2.58 g/cm³
Colors: Yellow Yellow brown
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous to dull
Transparency: Semitransparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Aggregates, tabular
Cleavage: On {001}, good to perfect
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In a complex zoned granite pegmatite (Lavra da Ilha pegmatite, Brazil); in an iron-formation (Blow River, Canada)

Where rockhounds find whiteite-(cafemg)

Classic worldwide localities

Lavra da Ilha pegmatite, in the Jequitinhonha River, three km north of Taquaral, and at the Énio pegmatite mine, northeast of Galiléia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Blow River area, Yukon Territory, Canada

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In a complex zoned granite pegmatite (Lavra da Ilha pegmatite, Brazil); in an iron-formation (Blow River, Canada). If you start seeing eosphorite, zanazziite, wardite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: aggregates, tabular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify whiteite-(cafemg)?+

Mohs hardness is 3-4. Luster: vitreous to dull. The streak is white. Common colors include yellow, yellow brown.

Where is whiteite-(cafemg) found?+

Notable localities include Lavra da Ilha pegmatite, in the Jequitinhonha River, three km north of Taquaral, and at the Énio pegmatite mine, northeast of Galiléia, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Blow River area, Yukon Territory, Canada.

What rocks look like whiteite-(cafemg)?+

Whiteite-(CaFeMg) is most often confused with Laueite, Stewartite, Wardite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with whiteite-(cafemg)?+

Whiteite-(CaFeMg) commonly co-occurs with Eosphorite, Zanazziite, Wardite, Albite, Quartz, Siderite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does whiteite-(cafemg) form in?+

Where it forms: In a complex zoned granite pegmatite (Lavra da Ilha pegmatite, Brazil); in an iron-formation (Blow River, Canada). Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is whiteite-(cafemg) used for?+

Whiteite-(CaFeMg) is used in collector.

Find whiteite-(cafemg) on the map

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