Whiteite-(CaMgMg) is a rare phosphate mineral primarily found in complex granitic pegmatites. It typically forms sharp, colorless tabular crystals that are highly prized by systematic mineral collectors.
Is this whiteite-(camgmg)?
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 whiteite-(camgmg) with a known reference. Whiteite-(CaMgMg) sits at Mohs ~4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Whiteite-(CaMgMg) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Whiteite-(CaMgMg) is noticeably harder (Mohs ~4 vs. 3).
How to tell apart: Wardite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5 vs. ~4).
How to tell apart: Whiteite-(CaMgMg) is noticeably harder (Mohs ~4 vs. ~3).
Often found alongside whiteite-(camgmg)
Minerals reported to co-occur with whiteite-(camgmg). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaMg₃Al₂(PO₄)₄(OH)₂·8H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- ~4
- Density
- 2.48 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A low-temperature secondary mineral presumed to have formed as a result of hydrothermal alteration of phosphate nodules derived from the sediments
Where rockhounds find whiteite-(camgmg)
Classic worldwide localities
- Found at the Northern Belle mine (also known as Argentum mine), Candelaria district, Mineral County, Nevada, USA
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A low-temperature secondary mineral presumed to have formed as a result of hydrothermal alteration of phosphate nodules derived from the sediments. If you start seeing crandallite, fluorwavellite, montgomeryite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify whiteite-(camgmg)?+
Where is whiteite-(camgmg) found?+
What rocks look like whiteite-(camgmg)?+
What minerals are found with whiteite-(camgmg)?+
What kind of rock does whiteite-(camgmg) form in?+
What is whiteite-(camgmg) used for?+
Find whiteite-(camgmg) on the map
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