phosphophyllite
green phosphopyllite from Poopoo in Bolivia
phophophyllite’s fluorescence
Detailed sheet
phosphophyllite
Its name recalls that it is a phosphate, and its cleavage causes leaves: it comes from the Greek “Phillon” meaning leaf.
It’s a stone sought after for its beautiful bluish green color.
CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Zn2(Fe,Mn)[PO4]2 - 4H2O
manganese , zinc and iron phosphate
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Main color
green
Other colors
blue, colourless
Color of streak
white
Luster
vitreous
Hardness
3.0 to 3.5
Density
3.05 to 3.14
Cleavage
perfect
Fracture
conchoidal
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
Transparency
transparent
Refractive index
1.594 - 1.623
Double refraction
0.020
definite, biaxial (-)
visible double refraction
Yes
Pleochroism
weak
Number of colors
2
colorless, light green
Fluorescence
variable
sometimes slightly purple
CRYSTALS PROPERTIES
prismatics
crystals system
monoclinic
OTHER INFORMATIONS
APPROACHING GEMS
Exploited
sites
The most beautiful were extracted in Bolivia (Potosi Mines), they are found in Germany (Bavaria), Zambia, Australia (Moculta phosphate quarry), United States (Maine, Carolina) and Canada (Nova Scotia) .
use in jewelry
cut in facets, it’s very sought after stone
Daily care
and precautions
very fragile sensitive to shocks
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