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Phosphophyllite



Phosphophyllite
CategoryMineral
Chemical formulahydrated zinc phosphate Zn2(Fe,Mn)(PO4)2•4H2O
Identification
Molecular Weight448.40 g mol-1
Colorblue-green to colourless
Crystal habitprismatic
Crystal systemmonoclinic
Twinningcommon
Cleavage[100] Perfect, [010] Distinct, [102] Distinct
Fractureconchoidal
Mohs Scale hardness3.5
Lustervitreous
Refractive index1.59-1.62
Birefringence0.021
Streakwhite
Specific gravity3.1
Diaphaneitytransparent

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.[1] 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.[2]

The finest phosphophyllite crystals come from Potosí, Bolivia, but it is no longer mined there. Other sources include New Hampshire, USA and Hagendorf, Bavaria, Germany. It is often found in association with the minerals chalcopyrite and triphylite.[3]

References

  1. ^ Phosphophyllite. Retrieved on 2006-12-16.
  2. ^ Hall, Cally (1994). Gemstones. Great Britain: Dorling Kindersley, 127. ISBN 0-7513-1026-3. 
  3. ^ The mineral phosphophyllite. Amethyst Galleries, Inc. Retrieved on 2006-12-16.
 
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Phosphophyllite". A list of authors is available in Wikipedia.
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