Phosphophyllite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Phosphophyllite
Formula:
Zn2Fe(PO4)2 · 4H2O
Colour:
Bright blue-green to colourless; colourless in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Waxy
Hardness:
3 - 3½
Specific Gravity:
3.08 - 3.13
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in 1920 by Heinrich Laubmann and Hermann Steinmetz in allusion to its composition, a phosphate, and its physical structure, from the Greek φύλλον (phyllos) for leaf, referring to its perfect cleavage.
Visit gemdat.org for Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3181
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3181:9
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
ab575054-c942-4d2c-901b-4d02f6563542
IMA Classification of Phosphophyllite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Zn2Fe2+(PO4)2 · 4H2O
First published:
1920
Classification of Phosphophyllite
8.CA.40
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
A : With small and large/medium cations
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
A : With small and large/medium cations
40.2.7.1
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
2 : AB2(XO4)2·xH2O
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
2 : AB2(XO4)2·xH2O
19.6.14
19 : Phosphates
6 : Phosphates of Zn
19 : Phosphates
6 : Phosphates of Zn
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Pp | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Phosphophyllite
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Waxy
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Bright blue-green to colourless; colourless in transmitted light.
Hardness:
3 - 3½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect on {100}, distinct on {010} and {102}.
Perfect on {100}, distinct on {010} and {102}.
Density:
3.08 - 3.13 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.12 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Phosphophyllite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.595 - 1.599 nβ = 1.614 - 1.617 nγ = 1.616 - 1.620
2V:
Measured: 44° , Calculated: 34°
Birefringence:
0.021
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.021
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
r > v perceptible
Optical Extinction:
Y ∧ c = 50°; Z = b.
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Phosphophyllite
Mindat Formula:
Zn2Fe(PO4)2 · 4H2O
Common Impurities:
Mn
Crystallography of Phosphophyllite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Setting:
P21/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.387(9) Å, b = 5.09(1) Å, c = 10.563(9) Å
β = 121.07(7)°
β = 121.07(7)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 2.041 : 1 : 2.075
Unit Cell V:
478.35 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Thick tabular {100} to acutely terminated. X-twinning common.
Twinning:
Common on {100} giving fishtail twins; may by polysynthetic. Rarely on {102}.
Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0000588 | Phosphophyllite | Hill R J (1977) The crystal structure of phosphophyllite American Mineralogist 62 812-817 |  | 1977 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0009263 | Phosphophyllite | Kleber W, Liebau F, Piatkowiak E (1961) Zur struktur des phosphophyllits, Zn2Fe[PO4]2*4H2O Acta Crystallographica 14 795-795 |  | 1961 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
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Radiation - Copper Kα
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 8.886 Å | (80) |
| 4.55 Å | (20) |
| 4.44 Å | (100) |
| 3.38 Å | (60) |
| 2.83 Å | (50) |
| 2.82 Å | (40) |
| 2.22 Å | (30) |
| 1.481 Å | (30) |
Comments:
ICDD 29-1427; also 17-774.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 22 : Hydration and low-𝑇 subsurface aqueous alteration (see also #23) | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] |
Geological Setting:
A secondary mineral in zoned complex granitic pegmatites, an alteration product of sphalerite and Mn-Fe phosphates, hydrothermal vein deposits.
Type Occurrence of Phosphophyllite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Well formed crystals and druses.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No designated type specimen.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Granite pegmatite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Phosphophyllite
German:Phosphophyllit
Japanese:りんようせき
フォスフォフィライト
フォスフォフィライト
Russian:Фосфофиллит
Simplified Chinese:磷叶石
Spanish:Fosfofilita
Traditional Chinese:磷葉石
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 15 photos of Phosphophyllite associated with Sphalerite | ZnS |
| 15 photos of Phosphophyllite associated with Vivianite | Fe2+Fe2+2(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 14 photos of Phosphophyllite associated with Siderite | FeCO3 |
| 8 photos of Phosphophyllite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 7 photos of Phosphophyllite associated with Hopeite | ZnZn2(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 7 photos of Phosphophyllite associated with Schoonerite | ZnMn2+Fe2+2Fe3+(PO4)3(OH)2 · 9H2O |
| 6 photos of Phosphophyllite associated with Scholzite | CaZn2(PO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 5 photos of Phosphophyllite associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
| 5 photos of Phosphophyllite associated with Parahopeite | Zn3(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 4 photos of Phosphophyllite associated with Keckite | CaMn2+(Fe3+Mn2+)Fe3+2(PO4)4(OH)3 · 7H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.CA. | Davidlloydite | Zn3(AsO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CA. | Apexite | NaMg(PO4) · 9H2O |
| 8.CA. | Brandãoite | BeAl2(PO4)2(OH)2(H2O)5 |
| 8.CA.05 | Fransoletite | Ca3Be2(PO4)2(PO3OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CA.05 | Parafransoletite | Ca3Be2(PO4)2(PO3OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CA.10 | Ehrleite | Ca4Be3Zn2(PO4)6 · 9H2O |
| 8.CA.15 | Faheyite | Be2Mn2+Fe3+2(PO4)4 · 6H2O |
| 8.CA.20 | Gainesite | Na(Na,K)(Be,Li)Zr2(PO4)4 · 1.5-2H2O |
| 8.CA.20 | Mccrillisite | NaCs(Be,Li)Zr2(PO4)4 · 1-2H2O |
| 8.CA.20 | Selwynite | NaK(Be,Al)Zr2(PO4)4 · 2H2O |
| 8.CA.25 | Pahasapaite | Li8(Ca,Li,K)10.5Be24(PO4)24 · 38H2O |
| 8.CA.30 | Hopeite | ZnZn2(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CA.30 | Arsenohopeite | Zn3(AsO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CA.30 | Nizamoffite | Mn2+Zn2(PO4)2(H2O)4 |
| 8.CA.30 | Unnamed (Mg-analogue of Hopeite) | Mg3(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CA.35 | Warikahnite | Zn3(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CA.42 | Steinmetzite | Zn2Fe3+(PO4)2(OH) · 3H2O |
| 8.CA.45 | Parascholzite | CaZn2(PO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CA.45 | Scholzite | CaZn2(PO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CA.50 | Keyite | Cu2+3Zn4Cd2(AsO4)6 · 2H2O |
| 8.CA.55 | Pushcharovskite | K0.6Cu18[AsO2(OH)2]4[AsO3OH]10(AsO4)(OH)9.6 · 18.6H2O |
| 8.CA.60 | Prosperite | Ca2Zn4(AsO4)4 · H2O |
| 8.CA.65 | Gengenbachite | KFe3+3(PO3OH)4[PO2(OH)2]2 · 6H2O |
| 8.CA.70 | Parahopeite | Zn3(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CA.70 | Reaphookhillite | MgZn2(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CA.75 | Stergiouite | CaZn2(AsO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CA.80 | Limousinite | BaCa[Be4P4O16] · 6H2O |
| 8.CA.85 | Minjiangite | BaBe2(PO4)2 |
| 8.CA.85 | Wilancookite | (Ba5Li2◻)Ba6Be24P24O96 · 26H2O |
Fluorescence of Phosphophyllite
None.
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in acids.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Phosphophyllite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3181.html
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References for Phosphophyllite
Reference List:
Wolfe, C. W. (1940) Classification of minerals of the type A3(XO4)2·nH2O (concluded) American Mineralogist, 25 (12) 787-809 p.792
Hill, Roderick J. (1977) The crystal structure of phosphophyllite. American Mineralogist, 62 (7-8) 812-817
Localities for Phosphophyllite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia | |
| SA Geodata Database - Mineral Deposit ... +1 other reference |
| Peter Elliott |
Bolivia | |
| Zach Berghorst Collection |
| [MinRec 32:475] Powder XRD by Dr. ... |
| PXRD by John Attard +1 other reference |
| Gems |
| Geology and Mineral Resources of the Altiplano and Cordillera Occidental (USGS Bulletin no. 1975) +1 other reference |
| Smith et al. (2001) |
Canada | |
| Richardson et al. (1988) |
Czech Republic | |
| Povondra et al. (eds.) +1 other reference |
France | |
| BERBAIN. C et al. (2016) |
Germany (TL) | |
| Laubmann +3 other references |
| Am Min 62 (1977) +3 other references | |
| Dill et al. (2008) | |
| Blaß et al. (1995) |
New Zealand | |
| Collection of RJ Martin |
Portugal | |
| Alves et al. (2012) |
| Identified in Rebentão Mine |
| Pedro Alves analytical data and ... |
Spain | |
| Calvo Rebollar (2015) |
Sweden | |
| Gustafson (1989) +1 other reference |
USA | |
| Schooner (1958) +1 other reference |
| King et al. (1994) +1 other reference |
| King et al. (1994) +1 other reference | |
| Dick Dionne |
| King (n.d.) |
| King et al. (1994) | |
| Rocks & Minerals 82:145 +3 other references |
| Whitmore et al. (2004) | |
| SEM-EDS +1 other reference |
| Campbell et al. (1985) |
| Lemke et al. (1952) |
Zambia | |
| Geological Survey +1 other reference |
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Unificada Mine, Cerro de Potosí, Potosí, Tomás Frías Province, Potosí, Bolivia