Liversidgeite is a rare hydrated zinc phosphate mineral typically found as small, fragile crystals within oxidized ore zones. It is primarily known from the historic Broken Hill mining district in Australia, appearing alongside other rare secondary zinc phosphates.
Is this liversidgeite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch liversidgeite with a known reference. Liversidgeite sits at Mohs 3-3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: small crusts, prismatic crystals, tabular aggregates.
Often confused with
Liversidgeite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside liversidgeite
Minerals reported to co-occur with liversidgeite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Zn₆(PO₄)₄(H₂O)₅·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3-3.5
- Density
- 3.21 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent to translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Small crusts, prismatic crystals, tabular aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A secondary mineral in highly weathered portions of a metamorphosed Pb-Zn-Ag sulfide deposit
Where rockhounds find liversidgeite
Classic worldwide localities
- Block 14 Opencut, Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A secondary mineral in highly weathered portions of a metamorphosed Pb-Zn-Ag sulfide deposit. If you start seeing anglesite, pyromorphite, greenockite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: small crusts, prismatic crystals, tabular aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify liversidgeite?+
Where is liversidgeite found?+
What rocks look like liversidgeite?+
What minerals are found with liversidgeite?+
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What is liversidgeite used for?+
Find liversidgeite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
