Purpurite
| Purpurite | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 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
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