Collinsite
A variety of Minerals
What is Collinsite?
Collinsite is translucent and brown, chocolate-black, light brown, yellowish white, white, or colorless. It is colorless in thin section and light yellow-brown to colorless in transmitted light. The zincian variety of collinsite is pale blue. The mineral can occur with fibrous habit, as globular aggregates of crystals, as concentrically layered botryoidal masses, or as bladed or prismatic crystals up to 2 cm (0.79 in). Collinsite is a member of the fairfieldite group. Hillite is the zinc analogue of collinsite and collinsite is the magnesium analogue of messelite.
Market Value Factors
Pricing varies for every rock and mineral, so use these universal factors to gauge Collinsite before comparing listings or appraisals.
Size & Weight
Larger, intact specimens usually command higher prices.
Rarity & Demand
Scarce material or popular varieties sell at a premium.
Condition & Finish
Chips, repairs, and heavy wear lower value; clean prep helps.
Treatment & Provenance
Untreated specimens with documented locality are prized.
Collinsite Localities Map
See where Collinsite is found with a localities map, collecting zones, and geology context. Generate a sample map preview below.
Key Characteristics
Formation of Collinsite
Collinsite has been found in Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Namibia, Norway, Romania, Russia, South Africa, Spain, and the United States. The mineral formed as an incrustation of other minerals by weathering. It occurs in association with bitumen, bobierrite, carbonate rich fluoroapatite, cryptomelane, dolomite, Fe–Mn oxides, kovdorskite, parahopeite, and scholzite.
Composition of Collinsite
The crystal structure of collinsite was determined using essentially pure magnesian collinsite, Ca2Mg(PO4)2·2H2O, and published in 1974. It consists of chains of corner-sharing (MgΦ6) octahedra and (PO4) tetrahedra. Four of the Mg ligands link to (PO4) groups and the other two to water molecules. Two of the ligands in the (PO4) group link to (MgΦ6) octahedra and the other two link to calcium atoms and act as hydrogen bond acceptors. Weak hydrogen bonds link chains together and force separation between them. The separation gives room for interstitial, eight-coordinated calcium between chains.
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Quick Facts
Physical Properties
- Color
- Light brown; light yellow-brown to colourless in transmitted light.
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 3 - 3.5
- Density
- 3.04 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
Chemical Properties
- Chemical Formula
- Ca2Mg(PO4)2 · 2H2O
- Elements
- Ca, H, Mg, O, P
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Collinsite FAQs
How do I identify Collinsite?
Collinsite can be identified by its hardness of 3 - 3.5 on the Mohs scale, Light brown; light yellow-brown to colourless in transmitted light. color. Look for these key characteristics when examining specimens.
What color is Collinsite?
Collinsite typically appears in Light brown; light yellow-brown to colourless in transmitted light.. Color can vary depending on impurities and formation conditions.
How hard is Collinsite?
Collinsite has a hardness of 3 - 3.5 on the Mohs scale. This makes it a soft mineral that can be scratched easily.
What is the formation of collinsite of Collinsite?
Collinsite has been found in Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Namibia, Norway, Romania, Russia, South Africa, Spain, and the United States. The mineral formed as an incrustation of other minerals by weathering. It occurs in association with bitumen, bobierrite, carbonate rich fluoroapatite, cryptomelane, dolomite, Fe–Mn oxides, kovdorskite, parahopeite, and scholzite.
What is the composition of collinsite of Collinsite?
The crystal structure of collinsite was determined using essentially pure magnesian collinsite, Ca2Mg(PO4)2·2H2O, and published in 1974. It consists of chains of corner-sharing (MgΦ6) octahedra and (PO4) tetrahedra. Four of the Mg ligands link to (PO4) groups and the other two to water molecules. Two of the ligands in the (PO4) group link to (MgΦ6) octahedra and the other two link to calcium atoms and act as hydrogen bond acceptors. Weak hydrogen bonds link chains together and force separation between them. The separation gives room for interstitial, eight-coordinated calcium between chains.
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