Xenophyllite is a rare phosphate mineral typically appearing as yellow to greenish-yellow lamellar or platy crystals. It is most commonly found in specific hydrothermal vein environments, often occurring in association with other phosphate minerals like vivianite.
Is this xenophyllite?
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 xenophyllite with a known reference. Xenophyllite 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. Xenophyllite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Xenophyllite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, greenish-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: lamellar to platy crystals.
Often confused with
Xenophyllite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Xenophyllite leaves yellow, Vivianite leaves white to light blue; luster reads pearly on Xenophyllite and vitreous on Vivianite.
How to tell apart: Triphylite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4-4.5 vs. 2); streak differs — Xenophyllite leaves yellow, Triphylite leaves white; luster reads pearly on Xenophyllite and vitreous on Triphylite.
Often found alongside xenophyllite
Minerals reported to co-occur with xenophyllite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₄Fe₇(PO₄)₆
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 3.55 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Lamellar to Platy Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Phosphate-rich Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300+ per specimen depending on size and quality
Where rockhounds find xenophyllite
Classic worldwide localities
- Wolfsberg, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Look in phosphate-rich hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where xenophyllite typically forms. If you start seeing vivianite, triphylite, strengite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a lamellar to platy crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify xenophyllite?+
Where is xenophyllite found?+
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What rocks look like xenophyllite?+
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Find xenophyllite on the map
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