Vanderheydenite is a rare zinc phosphate that forms colorless pseudohexagonal bladed crystals. Associated minerals include pyromorphite, anglesite and liversidgeite. It was first described from Block 14 Opencut, Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia.
Is this vanderheydenite?
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 vanderheydenite with a known reference. Vanderheydenite sits at Mohs ~3, 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: monoclinic. Typical habit: pseudohexagonal bladed crystals.
Often confused with
Vanderheydenite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside vanderheydenite
Minerals reported to co-occur with vanderheydenite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Zn₆(PO₄)₂(SO₄)(OH)₄·7H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- ~3
- Density
- 3.06-3.12 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Pseudohexagonal bladed crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A secondary mineral in a highly weathered recrystallized sulfide ore as a result of the release of Zn, S, As, and P from the breakdown of sphalerite, galena, and fluorapatite
Where rockhounds find vanderheydenite
Classic worldwide localities
- Block 14 Opencut, Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A secondary mineral in a highly weathered recrystallized sulfide ore as a result of the release of Zn, S, As, and P from the breakdown of sphalerite, galena, and fluorapatite. If you start seeing pyromorphite, anglesite, liversidgeite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: pseudohexagonal bladed crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify vanderheydenite?+
Where is vanderheydenite found?+
What rocks look like vanderheydenite?+
What minerals are found with vanderheydenite?+
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Find vanderheydenite on the map
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