Zircophyllite is a rare member of the astrophyllite group, primarily distinguished by its high zirconium content and distinct triclinic symmetry. Collectors typically find it as thin, bladed, or platy bronze-brown crystals within alkaline pegmatites, often associated with other rare earth silicate minerals.
Is this zircophyllite?
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 zircophyllite with a known reference. Zircophyllite sits at Mohs 3-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Zircophyllite leaves a brownish streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Zircophyllite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown, golden-brown, reddish-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: lamellar, bladed, platy crystals.
Often confused with
Zircophyllite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Zircophyllite leaves brownish, Astrophyllite leaves golden-brown; luster reads pearly on Zircophyllite and submetallic on Astrophyllite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Zircophyllite leaves brownish, Kupletskite leaves brown; luster reads pearly on Zircophyllite and submetallic on Kupletskite.
Often found alongside zircophyllite
Minerals reported to co-occur with zircophyllite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (K,Na)₃(Mn,Fe)₇(Zr,Ti)₂Si₈(O,OH,F)₃₁
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 3.3-3.4 g/cm³
- Streak
- Brownish
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Lamellar, Bladed, Platy Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Alkaline Igneous Rocks
- Typical price
- $20-150 thumbnail to cabinet specimen
Where rockhounds find zircophyllite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kola Peninsula, Russia
- Mont Saint-Hilaire, Canada
- Larvik, Norway
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline igneous rocks country, the host setting where zircophyllite typically forms. If you start seeing aegirine, microcline, nepheline in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a lamellar, bladed, platy crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify zircophyllite?+
Where is zircophyllite found?+
How much is zircophyllite worth?+
What rocks look like zircophyllite?+
What minerals are found with zircophyllite?+
What kind of rock does zircophyllite form in?+
What is zircophyllite used for?+
Find zircophyllite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
