Flurlite is a rare zinc iron phosphate, typically bright orange-red to dark maroon-red. It was approved as a distinct mineral species in 2014. It was first described from Cornelia mine open cut, Hagendorf-Süd pegmatite, Hagendorf, Oberpfalz, Bavaria, Germany.
Is this flurlite?
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 flurlite with a known reference. Flurlite sits at Mohs 2-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Flurlite leaves a buff streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Flurlite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: bright orange-red, dark maroon-red.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Flurlite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Flurlite leaves buff, Autunite leaves pale yellow.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Flurlite leaves buff, Torbernite leaves pale green; luster reads pearly on Flurlite and vitreous on Torbernite.
Often found alongside flurlite
Minerals reported to co-occur with flurlite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Zn²⁺Zn²⁺₃Fe³⁺(PO₄)₃(OH)₂(H₂O)₇·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 2.89 g/cm³
- Streak
- Buff
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Excellent On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Hydrothermal Veins
Where rockhounds find flurlite
Classic worldwide localities
- Cornelia mine open cut, Bavaria, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized hydrothermal veins country, the host setting where flurlite typically forms. If you start seeing pyromorphite, cheralite, dewindtite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify flurlite?+
Where is flurlite found?+
What rocks look like flurlite?+
What minerals are found with flurlite?+
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Find flurlite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
