Zhanghuifenite is a rare phosphate mineral from the Fillowite group, typically found as small, deep jade-green granular masses within complex granite pegmatites. It is primarily a collector's species identified through advanced chemical analysis, often associated with other rare pegmatitic phosphate minerals.
Is this zhanghuifenite?
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 zhanghuifenite with a known reference. Zhanghuifenite sits at Mohs ~5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: pale green.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: deep jade-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: granular.
Often confused with
Zhanghuifenite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside zhanghuifenite
Minerals reported to co-occur with zhanghuifenite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₃Mn₄Mg₂Al(PO₄)₆
- Mohs hardness
- ~5
- Density
- 3.63 g/cm³
- Colors
- Deep jade-green
- Streak
- Pale green
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Granular
- Cleavage
- Good on {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Attributed to veining, produced possibly by a late-stage, fluid-rich peraluminous melt in a zoned granitic pegmatite
Where rockhounds find zhanghuifenite
Classic worldwide localities
- Santa Ana mine, San Luis province, Argentina (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: Attributed to veining, produced possibly by a late-stage, fluid-rich peraluminous melt in a zoned granitic pegmatite. If you start seeing beusite, lithiophilite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: granular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify zhanghuifenite?+
Where is zhanghuifenite found?+
What rocks look like zhanghuifenite?+
What minerals are found with zhanghuifenite?+
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What is zhanghuifenite used for?+
Find zhanghuifenite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
