$443Median
2Sold (12 mo)
$550Last sale
Cafarsite specimens for sale
5 for sale · $250–$3,500 USD
41 in the gallery
Cafarsite is a phosphate mineral that forms as transparent to translucent crystals with a vitreous to resinous luster. It typically occurs in pale blue to green hues, and may exhibit prismatic or tabular habits, often found in compact aggregates. The mineral is associated with phosphate-rich hydrothermal environments and can form in alteration zones where titanium and iron substitute within the crystal structure, contributing subtle color variation.
- Formula
- Ca8(Ti,Fe,Mn)6-7(AsO4)12·4H2O
- Rarity
- Rare
- Stability
- Moderately Stable
- Collector interest
- Moderate Interest
- Classification notes
- Arsenate; hydrated calcium titanium iron manganese arsenate
Key characteristics
- Crystal system
- isometric
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5
- Specific gravity
- 3.9–3.95
- Luster
- vitreous, resinous
- Transparency
- translucent, opaque
- Color
- brown, black, red
- Streak
- brown
- Cleavage
- none
- Fracture
- uneven, subconchoidal
- Crystal habit
- octahedral, equant, granular
Buy Cafarsite specimens
View all 5Where Cafarsite is found
Top localities
- Wanni glacier - Scherbadung area12 specimens
- Binn Valley3 specimens
- Piedmont2 specimens
- Monte Cervandone1 specimen
About Cafarsite
Notable specimens have been reported from alpine regions of Switzerland and Italy, where unique geological conditions yield well-formed crystals embedded in matrix or as isolated prisms. Collectors prize Cafarsite for its distinctive color and crystal form, as well as for its relative rarity compared with more common phosphates. Its delicate composition and crystallographic features make well-presented specimens desirable for display and study, appealing to those who focus on accessory phosphate minerals from alpine environments.
