Phosphate Minerals
Phosphate minerals contain the phosphate group and range from the rock-forming apatite to colorful collector species such as turquoise and variscite. Most are relatively soft and many fluoresce under ultraviolet light.
Mohs hardness in this group runs from 1.75 to 5.75.
All phosphate minerals (5)
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common phosphate minerals?
The most searched phosphate minerals in the StoneSnap database are Lazulite, Pyromorphite, Variscite, Vivianite, and Wavellite.
How do you identify phosphate minerals?
Start with luster and color, then bracket the Mohs hardness with a scratch test and check the streak on unglazed porcelain. Mohs hardness in this group runs from 1.75 to 5.75. Each entry below lists the diagnostic properties and its common look-alikes.
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