Green platy crystal aggreggates of the rare phosphate vashegyite from Nevada (Gibellini Vanadium Project, Fish Creek Range, Gibellini, Eureka County, Nevada, United States of America). Microprobed by Sid Williams, green color is probably due to some copper content. Ex.Dr Hartel specimen. — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY-SA 4.0
Vashegyite
Vashegyite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the phosphate class, with the chemical formula Al₁₁(PO₄)₉(OH)₆·38H₂O.
It crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 2–3; specific gravity 1.93–1.99; Dull to waxy luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Vhg, grandfathered status — known before the IMA’s founding, named in 1909.
Filling cavities in boxwork “limonite” from an iron mine (Železnı́k, Slovakia).
It is found associated with Variscite, wavellite, evansite.
The name refers to its occurrence at Vashegy, Hungary (now Železnı́k, Slovakia).