$500Median
3Sold (12 mo)
$500Last sale
Tarbuttite specimens for sale
6 for sale · $475–$8,500 USD
27 in the gallery
Tarbuttite is a zinc phosphate mineral that forms as small to medium-sized crystals in hydrothermal veins and oxidized zones. The habit often features prismatic to tabular crystals with a vitreous to resinous lustre, and its color ranges from yellow to green, sometimes with a pale, translucent appearance. It typically occurs in association with other secondary phosphate minerals and can crystallize in colorful, well-formed aggregates that attract careful handling by collectors.
- Formula
- Zn2(PO4)(OH)
- Rarity
- Rare
- Stability
- Moderately Stable
- Collector interest
- Moderate Interest
- Classification notes
- Phosphate, hydroxyl phosphate; Strunz 8.BB
Key characteristics
- Crystal system
- monoclinic
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5–4
- Specific gravity
- 4.12–4.13
- Luster
- vitreous, resinous
- Transparency
- transparent, translucent
- Color
- colorless, white, gray, yellow, green, brown
- Streak
- white
- Cleavage
- perfect
- Fracture
- uneven
- Crystal habit
- prismatic, tabular, bladed, granular, massive
Buy Tarbuttite specimens
View all 6Where Tarbuttite is found
Top localities
- Kabwe Mine8 specimens
- Skorpion Mine8 specimens
- Karas Region5 specimens
- Warmbad2 specimens
About Tarbuttite
Significant specimens come from Namibia and Zambia, where tarbuttite occurs in oxidized zinc-bearing rocks and is frequently found in intricate crystal clusters that display bright, glassy faces. Collectors prize these specimens for their crisp edges, strong luster, and the way their color shifts under different lighting. While not among the most abundant minerals, tarbuttite’s striking crystals and locality associations make it a sought-after material for display cabinets and educational study, offering visual appeal and mineralogical interest in equal measure.
