Parahopeite is a rare triclinic zinc phosphate mineral typically found as transparent to translucent tabular crystals in the oxidation zones of zinc deposits. It is the dimorph of hopeite, from which it can be difficult to distinguish without professional analysis. Collectors primarily seek it from the classic oxidized ore bodies of Broken Hill, Zambia, where it is often associated with other rare zinc phosphates.
Is this parahopeite?
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 parahopeite with a known reference. Parahopeite sits at Mohs 3.5-4, 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, pearly on cleavages.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: striated.
Often confused with
Parahopeite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside parahopeite
Minerals reported to co-occur with parahopeite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Zn₃(PO₄)₂·4H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 3.31 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous, pearly on cleavages
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Striated
- Cleavage
- On {010}, perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of some zinc-bearing hydrothermal mineral deposits
Where rockhounds find parahopeite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kabwe (Broken Hill), Zambia
- Hudson Bay mine, Salmo, and on the Oxide claim, near Ymir, British Columbia, Canada
- Roughton Gill, Caldbeck Fells, Cumbria, England
- Turf Pits mine, Grassington Moor, and the Cockhill mine, Bewerley, northern Yorkshire, England
- Glücksrad mine, near Oberschulenberg, Harz Mountains, Germany
- Hagendorf, Bavaria, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of some zinc-bearing hydrothermal mineral deposits. If you start seeing hemimorphite, tarbuttite, hopeite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: striated. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify parahopeite?+
Where is parahopeite found?+
What rocks look like parahopeite?+
What minerals are found with parahopeite?+
What kind of rock does parahopeite form in?+
What is parahopeite used for?+
Find parahopeite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
