| Phosphophyllite | |
| Category: | Phosphate minerals |
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| Formula: | hydrated zinc phosphate |
| Imasymbol: | Pp[1] |
| Molweight: | 448.40 g/mol |
| Strunz: | 8.CA.40 |
| System: | Monoclinic |
| Class: | Prismatic (2/m) (same H-M symbol) |
| Symmetry: | P21/c |
| Color: | Blue-green to colourless |
| Habit: | Prismatic |
| Twinning: | Common |
| Cleavage: | [100] Perfect, [010] Distinct, [102] Distinct |
| Fracture: | Conchoidal |
| Mohs: | 3.5 |
| Luster: | Vitreous |
| Refractive: | nα = 1.595 - 1.599, nβ = 1.614 - 1.617, nγ = 1.616 - 1.620 |
| Opticalprop: | Biaxial (-) |
| Birefringence: | 0.021 |
| 2V: | Measured 44°, Calculated 34° |
| Streak: | White |
| Gravity: | 3.1 |
| Diaphaneity: | Transparent |
| Impurities: | Manganese |
| References: | [2] |
Phosphophyllite (and phosphate[3]) is a rare mineral with the chemical formula, composed of hydrated zinc phosphate. 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.[4]
The finest phosphophyllite crystals come from Potosí, Bolivia, but it is no longer mined there. Other sources include New Hampshire, United States and Hagendorf, Bavaria, Germany. It is often found in association with the minerals chalcopyrite and triphylite.[5]
Phosphophyllite has been synthesized synthetically by the addition of diammonium phosphate to a solution of zinc and iron sulfate.[6]
An anthropomorphic form of phosphophyllite is the protagonist of the manga and anime series Land of the Lustrous, with key features of the mineral such as its brittle nature and vibrant color reflected in their character traits and design.[7]