Category Phosphate minerals Crystal system Monoclinic | Strunz classification 8.CA.40 Space group P21/c | |
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Formula
(repeating unit) hydrated zinc phosphate Zn2Fe(PO4)2•4H2O Crystal class Prismatic (2/m)
(same H-M symbol) | ||
Phosphophyllite is a rare mineral composed of hydrated zinc phosphate. Its name derives from its chemical composition (phosphate) and the Greek word for "leaf", phyllon, a reference to its cleavage. It is highly prized by collectors for its rarity and for its delicate bluish green colour. Phosphophyllite is rarely cut because it is fragile and brittle, and large crystals are too valuable to be broken up.
The finest phosphophyllite crystals come from Potosí, Bolivia, but it is no longer mined there. Other sources include New Hampshire, US and Hagendorf, Bavaria, Germany. It is often found in association with the minerals chalcopyrite and triphylite.
References
Phosphophyllite Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA