Hopeite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Hopeite
Thomas C. Hope
Formula:
ZnZn2(PO4)2 · 4H2O
The above mindat formula corresponds to new findings and, as such, new structural refinements within the hopeite group
Colour:
Yellow, white, colourless, grey or brown; colourless in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Vitreous, Pearly
Hardness:
3½
Specific Gravity:
3 - 3.1
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
Named by David Brewster in 1823 in honor of Thomas Charles Hope (21 July 1766, Edinburgh, Scotland – 13 June 1844, Edinburgh, Scotland) Professor of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh. Also a physician. He discovered the element strontium and determined that water's maximum density occurs at 4°C.
Type Locality:
Dimorph of:
Isostructural with:
Two varieties are known, α-Hopeite and β-Hopeite (Spencer, 1908), which are distinguished by slightly different optical properties and thermal behaviour.
These two varieties differ by the orientation of one water molecule in the crystal structure (Herschke et al., 2004).
The phosphate analogue of arsenohopeite. The ZnZn2-analogue of nizamoffite (Mn-bearing) and sergeysmirnovite (Mg-bearing).
May be metastable in respect to parahopeite; the two phases may be separated via a structural-topological reconstruction (Krivovichev et al., 2022).
These two varieties differ by the orientation of one water molecule in the crystal structure (Herschke et al., 2004).
The phosphate analogue of arsenohopeite. The ZnZn2-analogue of nizamoffite (Mn-bearing) and sergeysmirnovite (Mg-bearing).
May be metastable in respect to parahopeite; the two phases may be separated via a structural-topological reconstruction (Krivovichev et al., 2022).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1999
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1999:2
IMA Classification of Hopeite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Zn2+3(PO4)2·4H2O
First published:
1822
Classification of Hopeite
8.CA.30
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
A : With small and large/medium cations
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
A : With small and large/medium cations
40.3.4.1
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
3 : A3(XO4)2·xH2O
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
3 : A3(XO4)2·xH2O
19.6.3
19 : Phosphates
6 : Phosphates of Zn
19 : Phosphates
6 : Phosphates of Zn
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Hop | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Hopeite
Vitreous, Pearly
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Comment:
Lustre pearly on the {010} cleavage.
Colour:
Yellow, white, colourless, grey or brown; colourless in transmitted light.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {010}, perfect; on {100}, good; on {001}, poor.
On {010}, perfect; on {100}, good; on {001}, poor.
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
3 - 3.1 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.08 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Hopeite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.572 - 1.574 nβ = 1.582 - 1.591 nγ = 1.59 - 1.592
2V:
Calculated: 26° to 82°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.018
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
Moderate (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Dispersion:
r < v, perceptible.
Chemistry of Hopeite
Mindat Formula:
ZnZn2(PO4)2 · 4H2O
The above mindat formula corresponds to new findings and, as such, new structural refinements within the hopeite group
The above mindat formula corresponds to new findings and, as such, new structural refinements within the hopeite group
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Hopeite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pnma
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.597(3) Å, b = 18.318(8) Å, c = 5.031(1) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.579 : 1 : 0.275
Unit Cell V:
976.6 ų
Z:
4
Morphology:
Crystals tabular {010} to prismatic [001] and occurring individually or as tufted or divergent aggregates and crusts. Face development is frequently irregular. The crystals may simulate disphenoidal or hemimorphic symmetry. Reniform masses; compact.
Twinning:
None observed.
Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0019556 | Hopeite | Herschke L, Enkelmann V, Lieberwirth I, Wenger G (2004) The role of hydrogen bonding in the crystal structures of zinc phosphate hydrates Chemistry - A European Journal 10 2795-2803 | 2004 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0019555 | Hopeite | Herschke L, Enkelmann V, Lieberwirth I, Wenger G (2004) The role of hydrogen bonding in the crystal structures of zinc phosphate hydrates Chemistry - A European Journal 10 2795-2803 | 2004 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0013717 | Hopeite | Haussuhl S, Middendorf B, Dorffel M (1991) Structure and properties of hopeites (MgxZn1-x)3(PO4)2*4H2O Journal of Solid State Chemistry 93 9-16 | 1991 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0009537 | Hopeite | Whitaker A (1975) The crystal structure of hopeite, Zn3(PO4)2*4H2O Acta Crystallographica B31 2026-2035 |  | 1975 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0014414 | Hopeite | Kawahara A, Takano Y, Takahashi M (1973) The structure of hopeite Mineralogical Journal 7 289-297 |  | 1973 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0000533 | Hopeite | Hill R J, Jones J B (1976) The crystal structure of hopeite American Mineralogist 61 987-995 | | 1976 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Loading XRD data...
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.568 Å | (100) |
| 2.853 Å | (65) |
| 9.12 Å | (60) |
| 3.460 Å | (25) |
| 3.388 Å | (25) |
| 4.410 Å | (20) |
| 1.939 Å | (19) |
Comments:
Kabwe, Zambia. (ICDD 37-465).
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 53 : Other minerals with taphonomic origins | <0.4 |
Type Occurrence of Hopeite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Muséum Nationale d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France, number 104.452.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Hopeite
Other Language Names for Hopeite
Relationship of Hopeite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Hopeite Group:
| Arsenohopeite | Zn3(AsO4)2 · 4H2O | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma |
| Davidlloydite | Zn3(AsO4)2 · 4H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Nizamoffite | Mn2+Zn2(PO4)2(H2O)4 | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbcm |
| Parahopeite | Zn3(PO4)2 · 4H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Sergeysmirnovite | MgZn2(PO4)2 · 4H2O | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 22 photos of Hopeite associated with Parahopeite | Zn3(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 7 photos of Hopeite associated with Phosphophyllite | Zn2Fe 2+(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 7 photos of Hopeite associated with Smithsonite | ZnCO3 |
| 4 photos of Hopeite associated with Tarbuttite | Zn2(PO4)(OH) |
| 2 photos of Hopeite associated with Native Copper | Cu |
| 1 photo of Hopeite associated with 'Limonite' | |
| 1 photo of Hopeite associated with Parascholzite | CaZn2(PO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 1 photo of Hopeite associated with Scholzite | CaZn2(PO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 1 photo of Hopeite associated with Rockbridgeite | (Fe2+0.5Fe3+0.5)2Fe3+3(PO4)3(OH)5 |
| 1 photo of Hopeite associated with Hemimorphite | Zn4Si2O7(OH)2 · H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.CA. | Apexite | NaMg(PO4) · 9H2O |
| 8.CA. | Brandãoite | BeAl2(PO4)2(OH)2(H2O)5 |
| 8.CA. | Davidlloydite | Zn3(AsO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CA.05 | Parafransoletite | Ca3Be2(PO4)2(PO3OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CA.05 | Fransoletite | Ca3Be2(PO4)2(PO3OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CA.10 | Ehrleite | Ca4Be3Zn2(PO4)6 · 9H2O |
| 8.CA.15 | Faheyite | Be2Mn2+Fe3+2(PO4)4 · 6H2O |
| 8.CA.20 | Mccrillisite | NaCs(Be,Li)Zr2(PO4)4 · 1-2H2O |
| 8.CA.20 | Gainesite | Na(Na,K)(Be,Li)Zr2(PO4)4 · 1.5-2H2O |
| 8.CA.20 | Selwynite | NaK(Be,Al)Zr2(PO4)4 · 2H2O |
| 8.CA.25 | Pahasapaite | Li8(Ca,Li,K)10.5Be24(PO4)24 · 38H2O |
| 8.CA.30 | Nizamoffite | Mn2+Zn2(PO4)2(H2O)4 |
| 8.CA.30 | Arsenohopeite | Zn3(AsO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CA.35 | Warikahnite | Zn3(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CA.40 | Phosphophyllite | Zn2Fe 2+(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CA.42 | Steinmetzite | Zn2Fe3+(PO4)2(OH) · 3H2O |
| 8.CA.45 | Parascholzite | CaZn2(PO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CA.45 | Scholzite | CaZn2(PO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CA.50 | Keyite | Cu2+3Zn4Cd2(AsO4)6 · 2H2O |
| 8.CA.55 | Pushcharovskite | K0.6Cu18[AsO2(OH)2]4[AsO3OH]10(AsO4)(OH)9.6 · 18.6H2O |
| 8.CA.60 | Prosperite | Ca2Zn4(AsO4)4 · H2O |
| 8.CA.65 | Gengenbachite | KFe3+3(PO3OH)4[PO2(OH)2]2 · 6H2O |
| 8.CA.70 | Parahopeite | Zn3(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CA.70 | Reaphookhillite | MgZn2(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CA.75 | Stergiouite | CaZn2(AsO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CA.80 | Limousinite | BaCa[Be4P4O16] · 6H2O |
| 8.CA.85 | Minjiangite | BaBe2(PO4)2 |
| 8.CA.85 | Wilancookite | (Ba5Li2◻)Ba6Be24P24O96 · 26H2O |
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
Before the blowpipe it gives off water and fuses with difficulty to a clear colorless globule, tinging the flame green.
Notes:
Dissolves without effervescence in HCl or HNO3.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Hopeite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1999.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Hopeite
Reference List:
Brewster, David (1826) Description of Hopeite, a New Mineral, from Altenberg near Aix-la-Chapelle. Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 10 (1). p.107-111. doi:10.1017/s0080456800024182
Friedel, Charles; Sarasin, Édouard (1879) Sur la composition de la Hopéite. Bulletin de la Société française de Minéralogie, 2 (6). 153-156 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1879.1508
Spencer, L. J. (1908) On Hopeite and other zinc phosphates and associated minerals from the Broken Hill mines, North-Western Rhodesia. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 15 (68) 1-38 doi:10.1180/minmag.1908.015.68.02
Larsen, Esper S. (1921) The microscopic determination of the nonopaque minerals. Bulletin 679. US Geological Survey doi:10.3133/b679 p.87
Wolfe, C. W. (1940) Classification of minerals of the type A3(XO4)2·nH2O (concluded) American Mineralogist, 25 (12) 787-809 p.795
Liebau, F. (1965) Zur Kristallstruktur des Hopeits, Zn3[PO4]2.4H2O. Acta Crystallographica, 18 (3). 352-354 doi:10.1107/s0365110x65000804
KAWAHARA, AKIRA, TAKANO, YUKIO, TAKAHASHI, MICHITOMO (1973) The structure of hopeite. Mineralogical Journal, 7 (3) 289-297 doi:10.2465/minerj1953.7.289
Whitaker, A. (1975) The crystal structure of hopeite, Zn3(PO4)2·4H2O. Acta Crystallographica Section B Structural Crystallography and Crystal Chemistry, 31 (8) 2026-2035 doi:10.1107/s0567740875006784
Hill, Roderick J., Jones, J. B. (1976) The crystal structure of hopeite. American Mineralogist, 61 (9-10) 987-995
Whitaker, A. (1978) The crystal structure of hopeite, Zn3(PO4)2·4H2O: errata. Acta Crystallographica Section B Structural Crystallography and Crystal Chemistry, 34 (7) 2385-2386 doi:10.1107/s0567740878008286
Haussühl, S., Middendorf, B., Dörffel, M. (1991) Structure and properties of hopeites (MgxZn1-x)3(PO4)2·4(H2O). Journal of Solid State Chemistry, 93 (1). 9-16 doi:10.1016/0022-4596(91)90268-m
Pawlig, O.; Trettin, R. (1999) Synthesis and characterization of α-hopeite, Zn3(PO4)2·4H2O. Materials Research Bulletin, 34 (12-13). p.1959-1966. doi:10.1016/s0025-5408(99)00206-8
Herschke, Laurent, Enkelmann, Volker, Lieberwirth, Ingo, Wegner, Gerhard (2004) The Role of Hydrogen Bonding in the Crystal Structures of Zinc Phosphate Hydrates. Chemistry - A European Journal, 10 (11). 2795-2803 doi:10.1002/chem.200305693
Frost, Ray L. (2004) An infrared and Raman spectroscopic study of natural zinc phosphates. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 60 (7) 1439-1445 doi:10.1016/j.saa.2003.08.009
Localities for Hopeite
Showing 33 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia | |
| Birch et al. (1997) |
| SA Geodata Database - Mineral Deposit ... |
Bahamas | |
| Onac B.P. et al. (2009) |
Belgium (TL) | |
| Brewster (1822) +6 other references |
| Cesàro (1897) +4 other references |
| Hatert et al. (2002) |
Bolivia | |
| Anthony Kampf analysis |
Canada | |
| Richard Gunter Collection. |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
| Peatfield (n.d.) +1 other reference |
China | |
| Han et al. (2007) |
| Niedermayr et al. (2005) |
| Han et al. (2007) |
| Han et al. (2007) | |
Germany | |
| Dill et al. (2009) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| web.archive.org (2001) | |
| Wittern et al. (1986) |
| Blaß et al. (1995) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Weiß (1990) |
Nigeria | |
| Oyeladun (2015) |
Portugal | |
| |
Romania | |
| HÎRTOPANU et al. (2025) |
South Africa | |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) |
Spain | |
| Joan Abella i Creus (2008) |
USA | |
| - (2008) |
| Grant et al. (2005) |
| Fisher (2002) |
| Kampf et al. (2013) |
| Smith et al. (2000) |
| Campbell et al. (1985) |
Zambia | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
Quick NavTopAbout HopeiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Kabwe Mine, Kabwe, Kabwe District, Central Province, Zambia