Pakhomovskyite is a rare cobalt phosphate, typically bright pink. It was approved as a distinct mineral species in 2004. It was first described from Iron-Ore complex, Kovdor massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia.
Is this pakhomovskyite?
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 pakhomovskyite with a known reference. Pakhomovskyite sits at Mohs 2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Pakhomovskyite leaves a pink streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Pakhomovskyite typically shows a pearly to dull luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: bright pink.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, aggregates.
Often confused with
Pakhomovskyite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Pakhomovskyite leaves pink, Vivianite leaves white to light blue; luster reads pearly to dull on Pakhomovskyite and vitreous on Vivianite.
How to tell apart: Gorceixite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4.5-5.5 vs. 2); streak differs, so Pakhomovskyite leaves pink, Gorceixite leaves white; luster reads pearly to dull on Pakhomovskyite and vitreous on Gorceixite.
Often found alongside pakhomovskyite
Minerals reported to co-occur with pakhomovskyite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Co₃(PO₄)₂·8H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 2.71 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pink
- Luster
- Pearly to Dull
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Ultramafic Igneous Rocks, Placer Deposits
Where rockhounds find pakhomovskyite
Classic worldwide localities
- Konder Massif, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in ultramafic igneous rocks, placer deposits country, the host setting where pakhomovskyite typically forms. If you start seeing gold, isoferroplatinum, tulameenite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify pakhomovskyite?+
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Find pakhomovskyite on the map
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