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Phosphosiderite
Current inventory:  2 gems
 

Chemistry:  FePO₄ · 2(H₂O)

Discovered in 1890;   IMA status: Valid (pre-IMA; Grandfathered).
Phosphosiderite is named after its chemical composition, PHOSPHrous and SIDERos, Iron.

Classification

Mineral Classification:

Phosphates

Strunz 8th Ed. ID:

7/C.09-20

7 : Phosphates, Arsenates, Vanadates
C : Water-bearing phosphates without unfamiliar anions. cations of medium and small size: Be and Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mg
09 : Variscite group

Crystal Data

Crystallography:

Monoclinic - Prismatic

Crystal Habit:

As crystals, tabular to stout prismatic, to 2.5 cm. May be radial fibrous, in botryoidal or reniform crusts and masses. Twinning: common, typically as interpenetrations.

Physical Properties

Cleavage:

[010] Perfect, [001] Distinct

Fracture:

Uneven

Tenacity:

Brittle

Moh's Hardness:

3.5 - 4.0

Density:

2.74 - 2.76 (g/cm³)

Radioactivity:

Not Radioactive

Optical Properties

Color:

Colorless, Purple, Pink, Red, Red violet

Transparency:

Transparent to Translucent, Opaque

Luster:

Vitreous to Subresinous

Refractive Index:

1.692 - 1.738  Biaxial ( - )

Birefringence:

0.046

Dispersion:

Weak to Distinct

Pleochroism:

X = pale rose-red; Y = carmine-red; Z = colorless

Occurances

Geological Setting:

Typically an alteration product of triphylite in zoned complex granite pegmatites; may be a component of soils; replacing bones or shells.

Type Locality:

Kalterborn Mine, Eiserfeld, Siegerland, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Year Discovered:

1890

View mineral photos:

Phosphosiderite Mineral Photos and Locations

More Information

Mindat.org  (Phosphosiderite)
Webmineral.com  (Phosphosiderite)

Phosphosiderite is a rare mineral found as minute crystals of pink or red. It is also found as massive or botryoidal forms suitable for cabochons. Phosphosiderite is similar in appearance to Sugilite. The pink, opaque massive material is currently being mined in Chile. This material is either solid pink, lavender or purple and may have yellow veins. It is known as "piedrea voga" (pink stone) as well as "la rosa voca" (pink rock).
 

  
Phosphosiderite gems for sale: