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Phosphosiderite
Current inventory:  2 gems
 

Phosphosiderite

Chemistry:  FePO4 · 2(H2O)

Discovered in 1890;   IMA status: Valid (pre-IMA; Grandfathered).
Phosphosiderite is n
amed 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:

Phosphosiderite-001

Gem:

Phosphosiderite

Stock #:

PHOSS-001

Weight:

24.138 ct

Size:

27.94 x 23.02 x 4.97 mm

Shape:

Oval Cabochon

Color:

Pink

Clarity:

Opaque

Origin:

Chile

Treatment:

None (natural)

Price:

SOLD (but we have others)

Pictures are of the actual gem offered for sale.
Gem images are magnified to show detail.

Phosphosiderite-001

A rare and beautiful pink gem with yellow veins from Chile.


Phosphosiderite-002

Gem:

Phosphosiderite

Stock #:

PHOSS-002

Weight:

30.041 ct

Size:

42.04 x 19.05 x 5.07 mm

Shape:

Oval Cabochon

Color:

Pink

Clarity:

Opaque

Origin:

Chile

Treatment:

None (natural)

Price:

$60.00

Pictures are of the actual gem offered for sale.
Gem images are magnified to show detail.

Phosphosiderite-002

A rare and beautiful pink gem with yellow veins from Chile.


 


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