Phosphohedyphane Locality: Root mine (Bonanza Hill mine), Goodsprings District, Clark Co., Nevada, USA Field of view 4 mm. Depth of field is achieved with CombineZM. Specimen and photo Leon Hupperichs. — Photo: Leon Hupperichs · CC BY-SA 3.0
Phosphohedyphane
Phosphohedyphane is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the phosphate class, with the chemical formula Ca₂Pb₃(PO₄)₃Cl.
It crystallizes in the hexagonal crystal system (space group P6_3/m). It is a member of the Apatite structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 4; specific gravity 5.92; White streak; Vitreous to greasy luster; optically uniaxial.
IMA symbol Phdy, IMA status: approved, named in 2005.
Found as a secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of a Cu-Pb-Ag quartz-baryte vein deposit.
It is found associated with Quartz, duftite, bayldonite.
A prefix, phospho, indicates the essential phosphorous in a mineral analogous to hedyphane. Also see discussion in reference (2).