Nizamoffite is a very rare phosphate mineral typically found as small, clear, equant crystals within phosphate-rich zones of granite pegmatites. It is best identified by its association with secondary phosphate minerals and its distinct crystal form in specialized pegmatite assemblages.
Is this nizamoffite?
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 nizamoffite with a known reference. Nizamoffite sits at Mohs ~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: colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: equant crystals.
Often confused with
Nizamoffite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside nizamoffite
Minerals reported to co-occur with nizamoffite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- MnZn₂(PO₄)₂(H₂O)₄
- Mohs hardness
- ~3.5
- Density
- 3.00 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Equant crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {010}, good on {100}, and fair on {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A relatively late-formed phase from secondary alteration of primary triphylite and associated sphalerite in the core margin of a granitic pegmatite
Where rockhounds find nizamoffite
Classic worldwide localities
- Palermo No.1 pegmatite, North Groton, Grafton County, New Hampshire, USA
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A relatively late-formed phase from secondary alteration of primary triphylite and associated sphalerite in the core margin of a granitic pegmatite. If you start seeing childrenite-eosphorite, crandallite-goyazite, fairfieldite-messelite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: equant crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify nizamoffite?+
Where is nizamoffite found?+
What rocks look like nizamoffite?+
What minerals are found with nizamoffite?+
What kind of rock does nizamoffite form in?+
What is nizamoffite used for?+
Find nizamoffite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
