Kobokoboite is a rare hydrous aluminum phosphate mineral first discovered in the pegmatites of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It typically occurs as white, pearly, platy aggregates and is highly sought after by systematic mineral collectors due to its extremely limited locality distribution.
Is this kobokoboite?
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 kobokoboite with a known reference. Kobokoboite 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. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: pearly.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: platy aggregates, microcrystalline.
Often confused with
Kobokoboite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Wavellite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 2); luster reads pearly on Kobokoboite and vitreous to resinous, pearly on Wavellite.
How to tell apart: Variscite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.5 vs. 2); luster reads pearly on Kobokoboite and vitreous to waxy on Variscite.
Often found alongside kobokoboite
Minerals reported to co-occur with kobokoboite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Al₆(PO₄)₄(OH)₆·11H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 2.21 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent to transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy aggregates, microcrystalline
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A secondary mineral formed by weathering of the upper branch of a zoned albite-beryl-microcline pegmatite of the LCT family, rare-element class, Li subclass, beryl type, beryl– columbite/beryl–phosphate subtype
Where rockhounds find kobokoboite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kobokobo pegmatite, South Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A secondary mineral formed by weathering of the upper branch of a zoned albite-beryl-microcline pegmatite of the LCT family, rare-element class, Li subclass, beryl type, beryl– columbite/beryl–phosphate subtype. If you start seeing frondelite, keckite, planerite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy aggregates, microcrystalline. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify kobokoboite?+
Where is kobokoboite found?+
What rocks look like kobokoboite?+
What minerals are found with kobokoboite?+
What kind of rock does kobokoboite form in?+
What is kobokoboite used for?+
Find kobokoboite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
