Ushkovite is a rare phosphate mineral typically found as a secondary product in weathered granite pegmatites. Collectors look for its small, yellow, tabular triclinic crystals often occurring in intimate intergrowths with other phosphate species. It is most notable for its occurrence in complex phosphate-rich pegmatite environments where primary triphylite has undergone hydrothermal alteration.
Is this ushkovite?
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 ushkovite with a known reference. Ushkovite sits at Mohs 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Ushkovite leaves a pale yellowish streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Ushkovite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellowish-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, radiating aggregates.
Often confused with
Ushkovite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Ushkovite leaves pale yellowish, Laueite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Ushkovite is noticeably harder (Mohs 3 vs. 1.5-2); streak differs, so Ushkovite leaves pale yellowish, Stewartite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Ushkovite leaves pale yellowish, Pseudolaueite leaves white.
Often found alongside ushkovite
Minerals reported to co-occur with ushkovite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- MgFe³⁺₂(PO₄)₂(OH)₂·8H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 2.44 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale Yellowish
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Radiating Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Good On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
Where rockhounds find ushkovite
Classic worldwide localities
- Hagendorf, Bavaria, Germany
- Sapucaia pegmatite, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Tip Top mine, South Dakota, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country, the host setting where ushkovite typically forms. If you start seeing triphylite, sicklerite, vivianite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, radiating aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find ushkovite on the map
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