Rare Mineral Cumberlandite: Properties, Occurrence, and Collectibility

Cumberlandite is a rare mineral, with the chemical formula Ca3(PO4)2. It is a phosphate mineral that was first discovered in 1837 in Cumberland, England, and since then it has been found in only a few locations around the world. It is typically found in the oxidized zones of lead and zinc deposits, and it is often associated with other phosphate minerals such as apatite and monazite.

Cumberlandite is a soft, white to yellowish mineral with a vitreous luster. It has a high density, around 3.2 g/cm3, and it is relatively hard, with a Mohs hardness of around 4.5. It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system, and it typically forms tabular or prismatic crystals.

Cumberlandite is not well known for its economic importance, but it is sometimes found in small quantities in ore deposits. However, it is of interest to collectors and mineralogists due to its rarity and distinctive crystal formations.