Collinsite was discovered prior to 1927 near François Lake, British Columbia.
In a 4-to-12-inch-wide vein (10 to 30 cm), phosphorite nodules were discovered that consisted of a fragment of andesite enclosed by concentric layers of phosphate minerals coated in wurtzilite.
The phosphate layers were composed of a mineral named quercyite (since determined to be improperly classified) and the new mineral collinsite.
The François Lake collinsite was light-brown and consisted of sub-centimeter blades.

Collinsite was named in honor of William Henry Collins (1878–1937) who, at the time, was director of the Geological Survey of Canada.
The mineral was described by Eugene Poitevin in 1927 in a publication of the Geological Survey.
With the analysis performed by E. A. Thompson, Poitevin identified the formula as Ca
₂(Mg,Fe²⁺
)(PO
₄)
₂•2½H
₂O. Since no crystals of collinsite were found, the only crystallographic information determined was the angle between cleavages.

In 1940, C. W. Wolfe reexamined the mineral species.
With analysis performed by F. A. Gonyer, Wolfe identified the formula of collinsite was Ca
₂(Mg,Fe²⁺
)(PO
₄)
₂•2H
₂O, containing less water than Poitevin indicated.
Wolfe also questioned the four cleavages found by Poitevin, since he could identify only two fair cleavages from six fibrous crystals.

When the IMA was founded, messelite was grandfathered as a valid mineral species.
Collinsite was discovered prior to 1927 near François Lake, British Columbia. In a 4-to-12-inch-wide vein (10 to 30 cm), phosphorite nodules were discovered that consisted of a fragment of andesite enclosed by concentric layers of phosphate minerals coated in wurtzilite. The phosphate layers were composed of a mineral named quercyite (since determined to be improperly classified) and the new mineral collinsite. The François Lake collinsite was light-brown and consisted of sub-centimeter blades.
Collinsite was named in honor of William Henry Collins (1878–1937) who, at the time, was director of the Geological Survey of Canada. The mineral was described by Eugene Poitevin in 1927 in a publication of the Geological Survey. With the analysis performed by E. A. Thompson, Poitevin identified the formula as Ca
₂(Mg,Fe²⁺
)(PO
₄)
₂•2½H
₂O. Since no crystals of collinsite were found, the only crystallographic information determined was the angle between cleavages.
In 1940, C. W. Wolfe reexamined the mineral species. With analysis performed by F. A. Gonyer, Wolfe identified the formula of collinsite was Ca
₂(Mg,Fe²⁺
)(PO
₄)
₂•2H
₂O, containing less water than Poitevin indicated. Wolfe also questioned the four cleavages found by Poitevin, since he could identify only two fair cleavages from six fibrous crystals.
When the IMA was founded, messelite was grandfathered as a valid mineral species.
Collinsite