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Phosphophyllite
Phosphophyllite is phosphates, Zn2Fe(PO4)2·4H2O. In the hand, it rates 3 to 3.5 on the Mohs scale, and it runs blue-green and sea-foam green. Delicate sea-foam blue-green transparent crystals of glassy perfection, so fragile and cleavable that cut gems are handled like soap bubbles. Unificada mine, Potosi, Bolivia (legendary large crystals); Hagendorf pegmatite (Germany, type locality).
The geology.
Phosphophyllite carries the formula Zn2Fe(PO4)2·4H2O. It belongs to the monoclinic system. It is classified as phosphates.
It sits at 3 to 3.5 on the Mohs scale. The surface reads vitreous. Light behaviour is transparent. Specific gravity runs 3.08 to 3.13. The streak is white. It breaks with perfect cleavage; very brittle.
Delicate sea-foam blue-green transparent crystals of glassy perfection, so fragile and cleavable that cut gems are handled like soap bubbles.
You will most often meet it as prismatic twinned crystals or faceted collector gems (rare).
The origins.
Unificada mine, Potosi, Bolivia (legendary large crystals); Hagendorf pegmatite (Germany, type locality).
On value, the database notes: premium rarity; fine Potosi crystals are among the most coveted phosphates.
Traditional associations.
In energy work traditions, associated with gentle renewal and emotional release.
People buy on this language, so it belongs on the page. It belongs under the facts, though, not over them.
Spotting the real thing.
Delicate sea-foam blue-green transparent crystals of glassy perfection, so fragile and cleavable that cut gems are handled like soap bubbles.
Almost everything cheap sold as phosphophyllite online is glass, fluorite, or apatite; genuine Bolivian crystals are rare and costly.
| Looks like | How to tell them apart |
|---|---|
| Apatite (blue-green) | Apatite is harder (5), hexagonal, and common; phosphophyllite is soft, monoclinic, and rare |
| Aquamarine | Aquamarine is glass-hard (7.5 to 8) and far less cleavable |
| Vivianite (pale) | Vivianite darkens in light and is even softer (1.5 to 2) |
At-home tests.
You can run every one of these at a kitchen table. Good light matters more than gear when you are looking at phosphophyllite.
| Test | What you should see |
|---|---|
| By eye | Very soft for a gem look (3 to 3.5) |
| By eye | Perfect cleavage makes edges razor-prone |
| By eye | Sea-foam color with high clarity |
Destructive tests belong to a gemologist, not a kitchen table. If a piece matters to you, pay for an appraisal before you take a file to it.
Care & handling.
At 3 to 3.5 on the Mohs scale this is a soft material. Keep it as a display piece, store it apart from harder stones, and skip daily-wear settings.
It breaks with perfect cleavage; very brittle, which is worth knowing before you set it or drop it.
Clean it by hand, dry it properly, and keep it away from ultrasonic cleaners and hot steam.
A deeper look.
Extended detail on composition, sourcing, authentication and market value.
The physical record
The formula on record is Zn2Fe(PO4)2·4H2O. Crystal system: Monoclinic. Specific gravity: 3.08 to 3.13. Streak: White. Cleavage and fracture: Perfect cleavage; very brittle.
How it reaches the market
Unificada mine, Potosi, Bolivia (legendary large crystals); Hagendorf pegmatite (Germany, type locality).
What it gets confused with
Apatite (blue-green): Apatite is harder (5), hexagonal, and common; phosphophyllite is soft, monoclinic, and rare. Aquamarine: Aquamarine is glass-hard (7.5 to 8) and far less cleavable. Vivianite (pale): Vivianite darkens in light and is even softer (1.5 to 2).
What it is worth
Premium rarity; fine Potosi crystals are among the most coveted phosphates.
Where buyers get caught
Almost everything cheap sold as phosphophyllite online is glass, fluorite, or apatite; genuine Bolivian crystals are rare and costly.
One more thing
Manga fans know it as the protagonist of 'Land of the Lustrous', chosen by the author precisely because real phosphophyllite shatters so easily.
An education-first guide.
We do not stock phosphophyllite. Writing it up regardless is the point of a reference library.
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