COLLINSITE, RAPID CREEK, YUKON, CANADA (miniature)

Collinsite is a mineral characterized by the chemical formula Ca2(Mg,Fe2+)(PO4)2•2H2O. It was first identified in British Columbia, Canada, and received formal recognition in 1927. The mineral is named after William Henry Collins (1878–1937), who served as the director of the Geological Survey of Canada. Collinsite exists in three distinct varieties: magnesian collinsite, zincian collinsite, and strontian collinsite. Its crystal structure features polyhedral chains interconnected by weak hydrogen bonds.