Parahopeite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Parahopeite
Formula:
Zn3(PO4)2 · 4H2O
Colour:
Colourless, yellow-brown, golden brown
Lustre:
Vitreous, Pearly
Hardness:
3½
Specific Gravity:
3.31
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Member of:
Name:
In allusion to its polymorphic relationship to hopeite.
Type Locality:
Dimorph of:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3092
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3092:8
IMA Classification of Parahopeite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Zn2+3(PO4)2(H2O)4
First published:
1908
Classification of Parahopeite
8.CA.70
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
40.3.3.1
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
3 : A3(XO4)2·xH2O
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
3 : A3(XO4)2·xH2O
19.6.4
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Phop | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Parahopeite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Parahopeite
Vitreous, Pearly
Transparency:
Transparent
Comment:
Lustre somewhat pearly on the cleavage.
Colour:
Colourless, yellow-brown, golden brown
Comment:
Colourless in transmitted light.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {010}, perfect.
On {010}, perfect.
Density:
3.31 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.304 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Parahopeite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.614(3) nβ = 1.625(3) nγ = 1.637(3)
2V:
Measured: 90°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.023
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:
High (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, moderately strong
Optical Extinction:
X ≃ a; Y ∧ c = 30° on {100}.
Comments:
2V nearly 90°.
Chemistry of Parahopeite
Mindat Formula:
Zn3(PO4)2 · 4H2O
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Parahopeite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.76 Å, b = 7.54 Å, c = 5.27 Å
α = 93.44°, β = 91.2°, γ = 91.4°
α = 93.44°, β = 91.2°, γ = 91.4°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.764 : 1 : 0.699
Unit Cell V:
228.34 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Crystals elongated [001] and tabular {100}; frequently grouped in sub-parallel aggregates or fan-like or tufted groups.
Ledoux et al. (1917) report the following forms:
Pinacoids - {100}, {001}, {010}
Prisms - {310}, {110} {120}, {160}, {110}, {120}, {160}
Brachydomes - {021}, {032}, {011}, {012}, {011}
Marcodomes - (203}
Pyramids {111}, {111}, {111}, {111}, {423}, {131}, {231}, {322}, {112}, {121}, {5+12}, {143}, {162}, {271}, {121}, {131}
Ledoux et al. (1917) report the following forms:
Pinacoids - {100}, {001}, {010}
Prisms - {310}, {110} {120}, {160}, {110}, {120}, {160}
Brachydomes - {021}, {032}, {011}, {012}, {011}
Marcodomes - (203}
Pyramids {111}, {111}, {111}, {111}, {423}, {131}, {231}, {322}, {112}, {121}, {5+12}, {143}, {162}, {271}, {121}, {131}
Twinning:
On {100}, polysynthetic, common.
Crystal Structure
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Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0010701 | Parahopeite | Chao G Y (1969) Refinement of the crystal structure of parahopeite Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 130 261-266 |  | 1969 | not given | 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 |
|---|---|
| 7.53 Å | (100) |
| 2.981 Å | (80) |
| 4.44 Å | (70) |
| 5.27 Å | (40) |
| 2.887 Å | (40) |
| 5.78 Å | (30) |
| 3.77 Å | (30) |
Comments:
Kabwe, Zambia, ICDD 24-1461.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] |
Type Occurrence of Parahopeite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Crystals, resembling hemimorphite. Platy crystals thickly grouped together on tarbuttite. Thin, platy crystals are clustered in tufts on nodular, ochreous limonite.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
The Natural History Museum, London, England, number 1907,980.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
A secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of a zinc-bearing hydrothermal mineral deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Parahopeite
Dutch:Parahopeiet
German:Parahopeit
Russian:Парагопеит
Simplified Chinese:副磷锌矿
Spanish:Parahopeita
Traditional Chinese:副磷鋅礦
Relationship of Parahopeite 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 |
| Hopeite | ZnZn2(PO4)2 · 4H2O | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma |
| Nizamoffite | Mn2+Zn2(PO4)2(H2O)4 | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbcm |
| Sergeysmirnovite | MgZn2(PO4)2 · 4H2O | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 22 photos of Parahopeite associated with Hopeite | ZnZn2(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 19 photos of Parahopeite associated with Scholzite | CaZn2(PO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8 photos of Parahopeite associated with Tarbuttite | Zn2(PO4)(OH) |
| 5 photos of Parahopeite associated with Phosphophyllite | Zn2Fe 2+(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 4 photos of Parahopeite associated with Switzerite | Mn2+3(PO4)2 · 7H2O |
| 3 photos of Parahopeite associated with Hemimorphite | Zn4Si2O7(OH)2 · H2O |
| 3 photos of Parahopeite associated with Goethite | Fe3+O(OH) |
| 3 photos of Parahopeite associated with Pyromorphite | Pb5(PO4)3Cl |
| 2 photos of Parahopeite associated with Metaswitzerite | Mn2+3(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 2 photos of Parahopeite associated with Chalcophanite | ZnMn4+3O7 · 3H2O |
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.30 | Hopeite | ZnZn2(PO4)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 | 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
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 Parahopeite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3092.html
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References for Parahopeite
Reference List:
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 p.18
Larsen, Esper S. (1921) The microscopic determination of the nonopaque minerals. Bulletin 679. US Geological Survey doi:10.3133/b679 p.117
Wolfe, C. W. (1940) Classification of minerals of the type A3(XO4)2·nH2O (concluded) American Mineralogist, 25 (12) 787-809 p.788
Hill, R. J., Milnes, A. R. (1974) Phosphate minerals from Reaphook Hill, Flinders Ranges, South Australia. Mineralogical Magazine, 39 (306) 684-695 doi:10.1180/minmag.1974.039.306.06
Localities for Parahopeite
Showing 14 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 | |
| SA Geodata Database - Mineral Deposit ... +1 other reference |
Canada | |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
| Peatfield (n.d.) +1 other reference |
China | |
| Lairen Lai and Nicheng Shi (1984) | |
Germany | |
| Dill et al. (2009) |
| Dill (2009) |
| Weiß (1990) +1 other reference | |
| web.archive.org (2001) | |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Wittern et al. (1986) |
UK | |
| Hartley (1984) +2 other references |
| Stanley et al. (1991) | |
| Dunham et al. (1985) |
Zambia (TL) | |
| Nature (1907) +2 other references |
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Hudson Bay Mine, Salmo, Nelson Mining Division, British Columbia, Canada