Wolfeite is a rare phosphate mineral typically found in complex granite pegmatites. It usually forms as reddish-brown, bladed to granular masses and is often difficult to distinguish visually from related species like triplite without chemical analysis.
Is this wolfeite?
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 wolfeite with a known reference. Wolfeite sits at Mohs 4-5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Wolfeite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Wolfeite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown, reddish-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: bladed, prismatic, granular.
Often confused with
Wolfeite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside wolfeite
Minerals reported to co-occur with wolfeite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Fe₂PO₄(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 4-5
- Density
- 3.85 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Bladed, Prismatic, Granular
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $20-100 thumbnail
Where rockhounds find wolfeite
Classic worldwide localities
- Hagendorf, Bavaria, Germany
- Mangualde, Portugal
- Palermo Mine, New Hampshire, USA
- Bull Moose Mine, South Dakota, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country, the host setting where wolfeite typically forms. If you start seeing triplite, triphylite, apatite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a bladed, prismatic, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find wolfeite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
