Nordgauite is an extremely rare aluminum fluorosilicate mineral discovered in granitic pegmatites. It typically occurs as small, clear, tabular crystals and is noted for its distinctive chemical composition involving both fluorine and silica. Due to its scarcity, it is sought after primarily by advanced mineral collectors and those interested in rare pegmatite species.
Is this nordgauite?
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 nordgauite with a known reference. Nordgauite sits at Mohs 3-4, 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: earthy, slightly waxy to silky (aggregates).
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: off-white, snow white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Nordgauite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Topaz is the harder of the two (Mohs 8 vs. 3-4); luster reads earthy, slightly waxy to silky (aggregates) on Nordgauite and vitreous on Topaz.
How to tell apart: Luster reads earthy, slightly waxy to silky (aggregates) on Nordgauite and vitreous on Villiaumite.
Often found alongside nordgauite
Minerals reported to co-occur with nordgauite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- MnAl₂(PO₄)₂F₂(H₂O)₄·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 2.35 g/cm³
- Colors
- Off-whiteSnow white
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Earthy, slightly waxy to silky (aggregates)
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A late stage secondary hydrothermal mineral in altered zwieselite-triplite masses in a zoned granite pegmatite
Where rockhounds find nordgauite
Classic worldwide localities
- Hagendorf-Süd pegmatite, Bavaria, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A late stage secondary hydrothermal mineral in altered zwieselite-triplite masses in a zoned granite pegmatite. If you start seeing apatite-, sphalerite, uraninite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify nordgauite?+
Where is nordgauite found?+
What rocks look like nordgauite?+
What minerals are found with nordgauite?+
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Find nordgauite on the map
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