It was named in honor of William Henry Collins (1878–1937), director of the Geological Survey of Canada.

The crystal structure consists of polyhedral chains linked by weak hydrogen bonds.

[15] 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.

[17] Collinsite was named in honor of William Henry Collins (1878–1937) who, at the time, was director of the Geological Survey of Canada.

[20] With analysis performed by F. A. Gonyer, Wolfe identified the formula of collinsite was Ca2(Mg,Fe2+)(PO4)2•2H2O, containing less water than Poitevin indicated.

[4] Collinsite has been found in Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Namibia, Norway, Romania, Russia, South Africa, Spain, and the United States.

It occurs in association with bitumen, bobierrite, carbonate rich fluoroapatite, cryptomelane, dolomite, Fe–Mn oxides, kovdorskite, parahopeite, and scholzite.