Cofactorite

Cofactorite is a rare mineral with the chemical formula Mg3(PO4)2 · 7H2O. It is a hydrated magnesium phosphate. The mineral was first discovered in the phosphate deposits of the Ojos del Salado volcano, located on the border of Chile and Argentina. The name "cofactorite" is derived from the Greek words "cofactor," meaning "joint worker," and "-ite," a suffix indicating a mineral, referencing its discovery in a complex mineral assemblage.

Cofactorite typically forms as small, prismatic crystals, often translucent and colorless to white. It can also appear as granular masses. Its crystal system is monoclinic. The hardness of cofactorite on the Mohs scale is approximately 2.5 to 3, indicating it is a relatively soft mineral. It has a specific gravity of around 2.1 g/cm³.

This mineral is found in association with other phosphate minerals, often in arid environments or as a secondary mineral in altered igneous rocks. Its formation is linked to hydrothermal alteration and weathering processes. Due to its rarity and the specific conditions required for its formation, cofactorite is not of significant economic importance. It is primarily of interest to mineral collectors and researchers studying mineralogy and geochemistry.