Phosphovanadite

Phosphovanadite is a rare mineral that belongs to the vanadate group. It was first discovered in 1975 in the Ural Mountains, Russia, and has since been found in a few other locations around the world. The mineral is named for its chemical composition, which includes phosphorus and vanadium.

Phosphovanadite crystallizes in the monoclinic system and typically forms prismatic crystals. It is usually found in association with other vanadium minerals, such as descloizite and roscoelite. The mineral has a hardness of 3.5 to 4 on the Mohs scale and a specific gravity of approximately 3.6.

The chemical formula of phosphovanadite is (NH4)2V4O11·3H2O. It is a secondary mineral, formed through the alteration of primary vanadium-bearing minerals in the presence of ammonia and water. Phosphovanadite is often found in the oxidation zones of vanadium deposits, where it can be associated with other secondary minerals, such as jarosite and gypsum.

Phosphovanadite is of interest to mineral collectors and researchers due to its rarity and unique chemical composition. However, it has no known industrial applications. The mineral is typically found in small, well-formed crystals, which makes it a desirable specimen for collectors.