Yellow crystal aggregates of the extremely rare Pb-U phosphate mineral przhevalskite from the type locality in Tajikistan (Dzherkamar Uranium Deposit, Karamazar Mountain, Adrasma, Sughd Region, Tajikistan). Only two confirmed localities worldwide. Ex Vandenbroucke Museum collection from Waregem, Belgium. — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY-SA 4.0
Przhevalskite
Przhevalskite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the phosphate class, with the chemical formula Pb(UO₂)₂(PO₄)₂·4H₂O.
Key properties: specific gravity 3.38; Adamantine, vitreous to pearly luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Prz, IMA status: questionable, named in 1946.
A rare secondary mineral found in the oxidized zone of a uranium deposit.
It is found associated with Torbernite, autunite, dumontite, dewindtite, uranophane, wulfenite, hydrous Fe–Mn oxides, “metahalloysite”.
The mineral was named to honor Nikolai Mikhailovich Przheval’skii (1839–1888), Russian geographer and explorer of Central Asia.