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 — that is 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
How do you identify wolfeite?+
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How much is wolfeite worth?+
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Find wolfeite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
