Weinebeneite is a rare beryllium phosphate mineral typically found in granitic pegmatites. Collectors usually find it as delicate, colorless to white prismatic crystals or radial sprays occurring within small cavities of weathered pegmatite hosts.

Hardness

3-4

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent to translucent

mineralrare

Weinebeneite

Hardness: 3-4
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent to translucent

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Is this weinebeneite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch weinebeneite with a known reference. Weinebeneite sits at Mohs 3-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy, rosette.

Often confused with

Weinebeneite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

Often found alongside weinebeneite

Minerals reported to co-occur with weinebeneite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: CaBe₃(PO₄)₂(OH)₂·4H₂O
Mohs hardness: 3-4
Density: 2.15 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent to translucent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Platy, rosette
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In fractures in a spodumene-rich pegmatite in high-grade metamorphic rocks

Where rockhounds find weinebeneite

Classic worldwide localities

Weinebene Pass, Carinthia, Austria

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In fractures in a spodumene-rich pegmatite in high-grade metamorphic rocks. If you start seeing roscherite, fairfieldite, uralolite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy, rosette. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify weinebeneite?+

Mohs hardness is 3-4. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless.

Where is weinebeneite found?+

Notable localities include Weinebene Pass, Carinthia, Austria.

Is weinebeneite safe to handle?+

Weinebeneite contains beryllium. Wash your hands afterwards, never grind or breathe the dust, and store it apart from specimens you handle often.

What rocks look like weinebeneite?+

Weinebeneite is most often confused with Vauxite, Paravauxite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with weinebeneite?+

Weinebeneite commonly co-occurs with Roscherite, Fairfieldite, Uralolite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does weinebeneite form in?+

Where it forms: In fractures in a spodumene-rich pegmatite in high-grade metamorphic rocks. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is weinebeneite used for?+

Weinebeneite is used in collector.

Find weinebeneite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.