Purpurite
From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Purpurite | |
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General | |
Category | Phosphate minerals |
Formula (repeating unit) |
Mn3+PO4 |
Strunz classification | 08.AB.10 |
Identification | |
Formula mass | 149.91 |
Color | Brownish black, violet, dark pink, dark red, reddish purple |
Crystal habit | Massive to granular |
Crystal system | Orthorhombic (2/m 2/m 2/m) Space Group: P nmb |
Cleavage | [100] [001] perfect |
Fracture | Brittle - uneven |
Mohs scale hardness | 4-5 |
Luster | Earthy |
Streak | red |
Specific gravity | 3.2 - 3.4 |
Optical properties | Biaxial (+) 2V 38° |
Refractive index | nα = 1.850(2) nβ = 1.860(2) nγ = 1.920(2) |
Birefringence | δ = 0.070 |
Other characteristics | non-radioactive, non-magnetic, non-fluorescent. |
References | [1][2] |
Purpurite is a mineral, basically manganese phosphate, MnPO4 although with varying amounts of iron depending upon the source of the mineral. It is a striking pink purple color as might be expected of a manganese-containing mineral.[1]
Purpurite forms a series with the iron bearing endmember heterosite, FePO4.[2]
References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Purpurite. |
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