Mineralpedia Details for Herderite
Herderite
Named in honor of Siegmund August Wolfgang von Herder, a mining official of Freiberg, Germany. Herderite is difficult, if not nearly impossible to distinguish from its hydroxyl-dominant analogue hydroxylherderite. While found originally in Germany, the analysis of this initial material is suspect and additional material from the locality is now unavailable. A gem of Herderite from supposedly Brazil is the only known fluorine-dominant Herderite that has been proven via modern analytical methods, so it is likely that most Herderite is actually hydroxylherderite. Herderite will fluoresce violet under ultraviolet light and has a cathodoluminescence and phosphorescence of pink-orange in X-rays.
Ref. Handbook of Mineralogy, Anthony et al (1995) and MSA at http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/herderite.pdf
- Formula
- CaBePO4F
- Crystal System
- Monoclinic
- Cleavage
- Indistinct, None, None
- Luster
- Vitreous (Glassy)
- Color
- white, yellowish white, greenish white
- Streak
- white
- Class
- Monoclinic - Prismatic
- Fracture
- Sub Conchoidal
- Hardness
- 5
- WebMineral
- View Herderite
- Mindat
- View Herderite
Herderite from Berry-Havey quarry, East Poland, Androscoggin Co., Maine, United States
2.5mm crystal
Herderite from Chhappu, Braldu Valley, Balistan, Northern Areas, Pakistan
This is a whopper of a crystal for Herderite. It a complete doubly terminated crystal with two penetrating side kicks and a negative growth indentation. A few imperfections. Nice green color.
