Zavalíaite is a rare manganese phosphate. It was approved as a distinct mineral species in 2011, from material found in Argentina.
Is this zavalíaite?
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 zavalíaite with a known reference. Zavalíaite sits at Mohs ~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 to resinous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: granular aggregates.
Often confused with
Zavalíaite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Zavalíaite is noticeably harder (Mohs ~4 vs. 1.5-2).
How to tell apart: Zavalíaite is noticeably harder (Mohs ~4 vs. 2-2.5); luster reads vitreous to resinous on Zavalíaite and nearly vitreous to pearly on cleavages on Bobierrite.
Often found alongside zavalíaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with zavalíaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mn²⁺₃(PO₄)₂
- Mohs hardness
- ~4
- Density
- 3.68 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous to resinous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Granular aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {100} and {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In the core margin of a zoned granitic pegmatite (beryl-columbite-phosphate subtype) as exsolution lamellae in ellipsoidal phosphate nodules
Where rockhounds find zavalíaite
Classic worldwide localities
- La Empleada granitic pegmatite, Totoral pegmatite field, San Luis Province, Argentina
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In the core margin of a zoned granitic pegmatite (beryl-columbite-phosphate subtype) as exsolution lamellae in ellipsoidal phosphate nodules. If you start seeing lithiophilite, reddingite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: granular aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify zavalíaite?+
Where is zavalíaite found?+
What rocks look like zavalíaite?+
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Find zavalíaite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
