The facts
What phosphophyllite actually is
The species behind phosphophyllite is phosphophyllite, Zn₂Fe²⁺(PO₄)₂·4H₂O; it forms in the monoclinic system.
Fe²⁺ giving a delicate blue-green to sea-green; pale and highly prized for exactly that tone is responsible for the colour — and the chromophore, not the name, is what decides whether a colour is stable.
On the instruments it reads a refractive index of 1.595–1.621 and a specific gravity of about 3.08–3.13, with perfect {100}, distinct {010} cleavage.
Where phosphophyllite comes from
Commercial material comes from Cerro Rico, Potosí, Bolivia (Unificada Mine), Hagendorf Süd, Bavaria, Germany and Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia.
Different localities give different colour and different clarity, and the trade prices them differently. We state which one.
How phosphophyllite is treated
Untreated. One of the most valuable of all collector minerals per specimen, and one of the most difficult to cut because of two cleavages and extreme brittleness — faceted stones over 5 ct are famous individually. Bolivian production essentially ended decades ago.
We state the treatment on every stone, including when the honest answer is that it cannot be determined. A treatment disclosed is a fact; a treatment discovered later is a refund.
What phosphophyllite is confused with
Watch for Ludlamite, Apatite, Aquamarine and Hemimorphite — these are what turn up sold under this name.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.595–1.621 and specific gravity 3.08–3.13 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What phosphophyllite is used for
The trades that buy phosphophyllite are mineral collecting. They do not want the same thing, and they do not pay in the same unit.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the specimen.
Durability and care
Phosphophyllite is 3–3.5 on the Mohs scale, with perfect {100}, distinct {010} cleavage.
Below about 5.5 a stone will be scratched by ordinary household dust, which is largely quartz. That does not make it unusable — it makes it a pendant, an earring or an object rather than a ring worn every day.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What phosphophyllite costs
Expect roughly Crystals $500–$50,000; faceted stones $2,000–$10,000/ct when they appear, depending on quality.
That is a range, not a quote. Colour, size, clarity, cut and origin move the figure a long way inside it, and the only honest price is one given against a specific stone. Send us what you need and we will price it.
Questions
Is phosphophyllite treated, and how?
Untreated. One of the most valuable of all collector minerals per specimen, and one of the most difficult to cut because of two cleavages and extreme brittleness — faceted stones over 5 ct are famous individually. Bolivian production essentially ended decades ago.
Where does phosphophyllite come from?
Cerro Rico, Potosí, Bolivia (Unificada Mine), Hagendorf Süd, Bavaria, Germany and Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is phosphophyllite hard enough to wear every day?
Not really. At 3–3.5 on the Mohs scale it is softer than the quartz dust in ordinary household dirt, so it scratches with wear. It suits pendants, earrings and objects better than a daily ring.
How much does phosphophyllite cost?
Indicatively Crystals $500–$50,000; faceted stones $2,000–$10,000/ct when they appear. Colour, size, clarity and origin move the price a long way within that, so treat it as a range and ask for a quote against a specific stone.
What is phosphophyllite confused with?
Most often Ludlamite, Apatite, Aquamarine and Hemimorphite. A refractive index of 1.595–1.621 and a specific gravity near 3.08–3.13 separate it quickly.
Related stones
Looking for phosphophyllite?
Tell us the size, the quality and what it is for. We source it, photograph it and quote it — with the locality named.
Ask about phosphophyllite