All are relatively rare phosphate minerals that form from hydrothermal precipitation and hydrothermal alteration of phosphate rich pegmatites. Color is brown, tan, yellow, greenish-yellow, pink to lavender. Luster is vitreous. Crystals are transparent to translucent. Cleavage is perfect in one direction.
Fracture is uneven.
Streak is white. Associated Minerals include kulanite , lazulite and siderite among others. Notable Occurrences include Rapid Creek, Yukon Territory, Canada and Custer, South Dakota. Best Field Indicators are color, locality and crystal habit.