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, 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.
