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 — Zircophyllite leaves brownish, Astrophyllite leaves golden-brown; luster reads pearly on Zircophyllite and submetallic on Astrophyllite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — 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 — that is 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
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Find zircophyllite on the map
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