Hopeite

Hopeite is a hydrated zinc phosphate with formula: Zn₃(PO₄)₂·4H₂O. It is a rare mineral used mainly as a collectors specimen.

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Hopeite crystallizes in the orthorhombic system with prismatic, vitreous white to yellow crystals. It also forms druzy encrustations and reniform masses. It has a Mohs hardness of 3 to 3.5 and a specific gravity of 3.

It was first described in 1822 from Moresnet, Liège Province, Belgium and is named after Scottish chemist, Thomas Charles Hope (1766-1844) of Edinburgh University.

It has been found in Zambia associated with lazulite.

References

• Mindat with location data
• Mineral galleries
• Webmineral data