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Ludlamite
Ludlamite is a mineral of the phosphates group, Fe3(PO4)2·4H2O. In the hand, it rates 3.5 on the Mohs scale, and it runs bright apple green and mint green. Glassy apple-green wedge crystals, often on dark sulfide ore, with perfect cleavage flash; one of the few truly green iron phosphates.
The geology.
Ludlamite carries the formula Fe3(PO4)2·4H2O. It belongs to the monoclinic system. Its listing category is phosphates.
It sits at 3.5 on the Mohs scale. The surface reads vitreous. Light behavior is transparent to translucent. Specific gravity runs 3.12 to 3.19. The streak is pale greenish white. It breaks with perfect cleavage; uneven fracture.
Glassy apple-green wedge crystals, often on dark sulfide ore, with perfect cleavage flash; one of the few truly green iron phosphates.
It turns up mostly as wedge-shaped crystal clusters, platy aggregates or crusts on sulfide matrix.
The origins.
Phosphate-bearing ore veins: Blackbird mine (Idaho, USA), Huanuni and Morococala (Bolivia), Cornwall (England, type locality).
On value, the database notes: collector mineral; lustrous Bolivian groups are affordable classics.
Traditional associations.
In energy work traditions, associated with renewal, fresh starts.
This is lore, and we label it as lore. The measurable facts are further up the page.
Spotting the real thing.
Glassy apple-green wedge crystals, often on dark sulfide ore, with perfect cleavage flash; one of the few truly green iron phosphates.
Not faked; confusion with vivianite is common, light-stability is the tell.
| Looks like | How to tell them apart |
|---|---|
| Vivianite | Vivianite darkens with light exposure and forms longer blades; ludlamite keeps its apple green |
| Apophyllite (green) | Apophyllite forms harder pseudo-cubic crystals on basalt, not sulfide matrix |
| Fluorite (green) | Fluorite is harder (4), shows octahedral cleavage and cubic habit |
At-home tests.
A loupe and a window seat settle most questions about ludlamite. No workshop required.
| Test | What you should see |
|---|---|
| Scratch check | Soft (3.5), copper coin scratches it |
| Under a loupe | Wedge-shaped terminations under a loupe |
| By eye | Often paired with vivianite and siderite on mine specimens |
Anything that scratches, burns or dissolves the piece is a lab job. Get it appraised rather than testing it apart.
Care & handling.
At 3.5 on the Mohs scale this is a soft material. Keep it as a display piece, store it apart from harder stones, and skip daily-wear settings.
It breaks with perfect cleavage; uneven fracture, which is worth knowing before you set it or drop it.
Warm water and a soft cloth clean almost everything. Ultrasonic tanks, steamers and household cleaners are where pieces get ruined.
A deeper look.
Extended detail on composition, sourcing, authentication and market value.
The physical record
The formula on record is Fe3(PO4)2·4H2O. Crystal system: Monoclinic. Specific gravity: 3.12 to 3.19. Streak: Pale greenish white. Cleavage and fracture: Perfect cleavage; uneven fracture.
How it reaches the market
Phosphate-bearing ore veins: Blackbird mine (Idaho, USA), Huanuni and Morococala (Bolivia), Cornwall (England, type locality).
What it gets confused with
Vivianite: Vivianite darkens with light exposure and forms longer blades; ludlamite keeps its apple green. Apophyllite (green): Apophyllite forms harder pseudo-cubic crystals on basalt, not sulfide matrix. Fluorite (green): Fluorite is harder (4), shows octahedral cleavage and cubic habit.
What it is worth
Collector mineral; lustrous Bolivian groups are affordable classics.
Where buyers get caught
Not faked; confusion with vivianite is common, light-stability is the tell.
One more thing
Bolivian tin miners hit pockets where green ludlamite and blue vivianite grow together, specimen dealers call the combination 'Christmas ore'.
An education-first guide.
No product links here. We do not sell ludlamite, and a guide that only covers our own shelves would not be much of a guide.
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