Mineralpedia Details for Purpurite
Purpurite
- Formula
- (Mn3+,Fe3+)PO4
- Crystal System
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal Habit
- Massive - Granular
- Cleavage
- Perfect, Perfect, None
- Luster
- Earthy (Dull)
- Color
- brownish black, violet, dark pink, dark red, reddish purple
- Streak
- red
- Class
- Orthorhombic - Dipyramidal
- Fracture
- Brittle - Uneven
- Hardness
- 4-5
- WebMineral
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- Mindat
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Purpurite from Usakos, Karibib dist., Erongo, Namibia
Magenta phosphate, a metasomatic product of a primary phosphate.
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Purpurite from Sandamap pegmatite, Dâures, Erongo, Namibia
Solid chunk of Purpurite, a relatively rare mineral outside of pegmatites. Purpurite forms by the metasomatic alteration of Triphylite-Lithiophilite series. Lithium is leached out of Triphylite-Lithiophilite while oxidizing iron and manganese to the trivalent state. The purple color of Purpurite is best displayed along the relic cleavage planes.
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