Wicksite is a rare phosphate mineral typically found as small, deep blue to greenish tabular crystals. It is best known from the phosphate-rich environments of the Rapid Creek area in the Yukon, where it occurs alongside a variety of other rare secondary phosphate species.
Is this wicksite?
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 wicksite with a known reference. Wicksite 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. Wicksite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Wicksite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: blue, blue-green, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, massive, granular.
Often confused with
Wicksite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside wicksite
Minerals reported to co-occur with wicksite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaCa₂Fe²⁺₄Mg(PO₄)₄(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 3.37 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Massive, Granular
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Phosphate-rich Sedimentary Iron Formations
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find wicksite
Classic worldwide localities
- Big Fish River, Yukon, Canada
- Rapid Creek, Yukon, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in phosphate-rich sedimentary iron formations country — that is the host setting where wicksite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, siderite, ludlamite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, massive, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find wicksite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
