PARAHOPEITE

    Class : Phosphates, arsenates, vanadates
    Subclass : Hydrated phosphates
    Crystal system : Triclinic
    Chemistry : Zn3(PO4)2 4H2O
    Rarity : Rare to very rare

Parahopeite is a rare zinc phosphate that is found in secondary mineralization in the oxidation zone of zinc deposits. It accompanies pyromorphite and hemimorphite. Its name comes from the Greek para (near) and its dimorphic relationship with hopeite. Parahopeite forms tabular or prismatic crystals, white to pale yellow, sometimes golden brown, frequently grouped in parallel or radiate aggregates.

Main photo : Parahopeite from Kabwe Mine, Zambia © Rob Lavinsky

Parahopeite from Hudson Bay Mine, Canada © Rob Lavinsky
Parahopeite from Kabwe Mine, Zambia © Stephan Wolfsried
Parahopeite from Kabwe Mine, Zambia © Stephan Wolfsried
Parahopeite from Reaphook Hill, Australia © Gianfranco Ciccolini

Parahopeite in the World

The only specimens worthy of collection come from the Kabwe mine (Zambia), where magnificent 2 cm crystals are grouped in sheaves and lamellar aggregates. It is also found in Australia on the Reaphook Hill deposit in 1.5 cm crystals. It is also found in lower quality samples in German pegmatites (Hagendorf, Riechelsdorf), as well as in the superficial zones of English zinc deposits (Roughton Hill, Grassington Moor) and the Canadian Hudson Bay mine near Salmo (British Columbia).

Parahopeite in France

Parahopeite is not present in the French underground.

Twinning

Twins are common on {100}.

Fakes and treatments

No fakes listed for this mineral species.


Hardness : 3.5
Density : 3.31
Fracture : Undetermined
Streak : White

TP : Translucent to transparent
RI : 1.614 to 1.637
Birefringence : 0.023
Optical character : Biaxial +
Pleochroism : None
Fluorescence : None

Solubility : -

Magnetism : NoneRadioactivity : None