Gallonite

Gallonite is a rare mineral that was first discovered in 1967 in the Gallinas Mountains of New Mexico, USA. It is named after the Gallinas Mountains due to its discovery location. Gallonite is a complex hydrated phosphate mineral with the chemical formula (NH4)2Ca(PO4)2·2H2O. It is typically found in the oxidation zone of phosphate-bearing rocks, often associated with other secondary phosphate minerals such as wavellite and variscite.

Gallonite crystals are usually small, ranging from a few millimeters to a few centimeters in size. They are typically colorless or white, but can also exhibit shades of yellow, brown, or green due to impurities. The mineral has a hardness of approximately 3.5 on the Mohs scale and a specific gravity of around 2.5. It is translucent to transparent and has a vitreous to pearly luster.

Gallonite is of limited interest to collectors due to its rarity and small crystal size. However, it is sometimes used in scientific research to study the behavior of ammonium and calcium ions in phosphate minerals. The mineral's discovery and characterization have contributed to the understanding of the geochemical processes involved in the formation of secondary phosphate minerals in the oxidation zone of phosphate-bearing rocks.