Zanazziite is a rare phosphate mineral found primarily in the complex granitic pegmatites of Brazil. It is most recognized by collectors for its attractive olive-green to yellowish-green sprays of prismatic crystals, often occurring in cavities alongside other secondary phosphate minerals.
Is this zanazziite?
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 zanazziite with a known reference. Zanazziite sits at Mohs ~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 to pearly on cleavages.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pale olive green, dark olive green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: bladed, columnar, prismatic.
Often confused with
Zanazziite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside zanazziite
Minerals reported to co-occur with zanazziite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₂Mg₅Be₄(PO₄)₆(OH)₄·6H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- ~5
- Density
- 2.76 g/cm³
- Colors
- Pale olive greenDark olive green
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous to pearly on cleavages
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Bladed, columnar, prismatic
- Cleavage
- {100}, good; {010}, distinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In a simply zoned granite pegmatite with other phosphates (Lavra da Ilha pegmatite, Brazil)
Where rockhounds find zanazziite
Classic worldwide localities
- Bell pit and from the Martin prospect, Newry, Oxford Co., Maine, USA
- Lavra da Ilha pegmatite, in the Jequitinhonha River, three km north of Taquaral, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In a simply zoned granite pegmatite with other phosphates (Lavra da Ilha pegmatite, Brazil). If you start seeing quartz, albite, muscovite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: bladed, columnar, prismatic. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify zanazziite?+
Where is zanazziite found?+
Is zanazziite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like zanazziite?+
What minerals are found with zanazziite?+
What kind of rock does zanazziite form in?+
What is zanazziite used for?+
Find zanazziite on the map
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