Wooldridgeite is an extremely rare phosphate mineral discovered at the Wolfe Creek meteorite crater. It typically forms as delicate, colorless to white bladed crystal clusters associated with weathering copper-bearing minerals in arid conditions.
Is this wooldridgeite?
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 wooldridgeite with a known reference. Wooldridgeite sits at Mohs 2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Wooldridgeite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Wooldridgeite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: bladed crystals, radial aggregates.
Often found alongside wooldridgeite
Minerals reported to co-occur with wooldridgeite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₂CaCu₂(P₂O₇)₂·10H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 2.16 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Bladed Crystals, Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None Observed
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Impact Crater Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find wooldridgeite
Classic worldwide localities
- Wolfe Creek Crater, Western Australia
Field-hunting tip
Look in impact crater deposits country, the host setting where wooldridgeite typically forms. If you start seeing goethite, gypsum, natrochalcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a bladed crystals, radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find wooldridgeite on the map
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