Pakhomovskyite is a rare cobalt phosphate, typically bright pink. It was approved as a distinct mineral species in 2004. It was first described from Iron-Ore complex, Kovdor massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia.
Is this pakhomovskyite?
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 pakhomovskyite with a known reference. Pakhomovskyite sits at Mohs ~2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: pink.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: pearly (flakes) to dull.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: bright pink.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: spherical.
Often confused with
Pakhomovskyite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Pakhomovskyite leaves pink, Vivianite leaves white, altering to dark blue, brown; luster reads pearly (flakes) to dull on Pakhomovskyite and vitreous, pearly on the cleavage, dull when earthy on Vivianite.
How to tell apart: Gorceixite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6 vs. ~2); streak differs, so Pakhomovskyite leaves pink, Gorceixite leaves white; luster reads pearly (flakes) to dull on Pakhomovskyite and vitreous on Gorceixite.
Often found alongside pakhomovskyite
Minerals reported to co-occur with pakhomovskyite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Co₃(PO₄)₂·8H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- ~2
- Density
- 2.71 g/cm³
- Colors
- Bright pink
- Streak
- Pink
- Luster
- Pearly (flakes) to dull
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Spherical
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A low-temperature hydrothermal mineral formed by reactions between primary minerals and alkaline phosphate fluids in dolomite carbonatite cutting phoscorites
Where rockhounds find pakhomovskyite
Classic worldwide localities
- Iron-Ore complex, Kovdor massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A low-temperature hydrothermal mineral formed by reactions between primary minerals and alkaline phosphate fluids in dolomite carbonatite cutting phoscorites. If you start seeing bakhchisaraitsevite, bobierrite, magnetite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: spherical. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find pakhomovskyite on the map
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