Whiteite-(CaMnMg) is a rare phosphate mineral typically found as small, yellow to brown tabular crystals in complex granite pegmatites. Collectors often find it as a secondary mineral associated with the alteration of triphylite, occurring within vugs or cavities.
Is this whiteite-(camnmg)?
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-(camnmg) with a known reference. Whiteite-(CaMnMg) sits at Mohs 3.5, 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: dull.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, greenish yellow, light lilac, pink.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: aggregates, pseudo hexagonal, tabular.
Often confused with
Whiteite-(CaMnMg) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads dull on Whiteite-(CaMnMg) and vitreous on Laueite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Whiteite-(CaMnMg) leaves white, Strunzite leaves light yellow; luster reads dull on Whiteite-(CaMnMg) and vitreous on Strunzite.
Often found alongside whiteite-(camnmg)
Minerals reported to co-occur with whiteite-(camnmg). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaMnMg₂Al₂(PO₄)₄(OH)₂·8H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 2.63 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Dull
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Aggregates, pseudo hexagonal, tabular
- Cleavage
- Poor on {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Along fracture surfaces in beryl and quartz in a zoned complex granite pegmatite
Where rockhounds find whiteite-(camnmg)
Classic worldwide localities
- Tip Top mine, 8.5 km southwest of Custer, Custer Co., South Dakota, USA
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Along fracture surfaces in beryl and quartz in a zoned complex granite pegmatite. If you start seeing montgomeryite, tiptopite, roscherite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: aggregates, pseudo hexagonal, tabular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify whiteite-(camnmg)?+
Where is whiteite-(camnmg) found?+
What rocks look like whiteite-(camnmg)?+
What minerals are found with whiteite-(camnmg)?+
What kind of rock does whiteite-(camnmg) form in?+
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Find whiteite-(camnmg) on the map
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