Satterlyite is a rare iron phosphate mineral typically found as small, deep blue to greenish-pale yellow to pale brown crystals or crystalline masses. It is most famous for its occurrence in the phosphate-rich nodules of the Yukon Territory in Canada, often sought after by advanced mineral collectors specializing in rare phosphates.
Is this satterlyite?
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 satterlyite with a known reference. Satterlyite sits at Mohs 4.5-5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Satterlyite leaves a pale yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Satterlyite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pale yellow, pale brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, anhedral grains.
Often confused with
Satterlyite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Satterlyite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4.5-5 vs. 1.5-2); streak differs, so Satterlyite leaves pale yellow, Vivianite leaves white to light blue.
How to tell apart: Satterlyite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4.5-5 vs. 3.5); streak differs, so Satterlyite leaves pale yellow, Ludlamite leaves white.
Often found alongside satterlyite
Minerals reported to co-occur with satterlyite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Fe²⁺,Mg,Fe³⁺)₂(PO₄)(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5-5
- Density
- 3.66 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale Yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Anhedral Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Phosphate Nodules in Sedimentary Iron Formation
Where rockhounds find satterlyite
Classic worldwide localities
- Big Fish River, Yukon Territory, Canada
- Rapid Creek, Yukon Territory, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in phosphate nodules in sedimentary iron formation country, the host setting where satterlyite typically forms. If you start seeing wolfeite, arrojadite, childrenite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, anhedral grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify satterlyite?+
Where is satterlyite found?+
What rocks look like satterlyite?+
What minerals are found with satterlyite?+
What kind of rock does satterlyite form in?+
What is satterlyite used for?+
Find satterlyite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
