What is Zanazziite?
Zanazziite is a rare hydrated beryllium magnesium phosphate from complex granitic pegmatites, collected for olive-green colour and unusual phosphate chemistry.
Mineralogy and structure
Reference formula: Ca2Mg5Be4(PO4)6(OH)4·6H2O. Zanazziite is monoclinic with the ideal formula Ca2Mg5Be4(PO4)6(OH)4·6H2O. Natural substitutions are common, so analysis is valuable; COD 9009585 is used as a labelled representative. Zanazziite is classified with phosphates and has monoclinic crystal symmetry. Typical hardness is 5–5 on the Mohs scale and specific gravity is approximately 2.7–2.9.
Colour, lustre and habit
Typical colours include olive green, yellow-green, brown. The usual tabular, granular, massive habit and vitreous, pearly lustre help describe a specimen, but colour alone is not diagnostic.
Formation and notable localities
Zanazziite forms in or is associated with late-stage alteration and phosphate-rich pockets in zoned granitic pegmatites. Important documented localities include Brazil, Sweden, Madagascar, New Hampshire and other complex pegmatite districts.
Olive-green chemistry from a rare pegmatite pocket
Zanazziite is a specialist collector mineral with a refined palette. Its beryllium-phosphate chemistry and pegmatite origin make a small, well-labelled specimen genuinely distinctive.
Collecting and care
Beryllium-bearing and moderately soft: avoid dust and grinding, keep protected from impact and retain pegmatite provenance.
