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 — that is 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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