Heterosite
Mineral Fe3+PO4
About it
Purple to brownish masses formed as triphylite oxidizes in granite pegmatites, much like purpurite but rich in iron. Found in lithium pegmatites from France to the Black Hills.
- Type
- Mineral
- Group
- Phosphate, triphylite group
- Formula
- Fe3+PO4
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 4–4.5
- Specific gravity
- 3.3–3.5
- Streak
- purple to reddish purple
- Lustre
- submetallic, dull
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Colours
- purple, brownish purple, dark brown
- Transparency
- opaque, translucent
- Cleavage and fracture
- good in one direction
Typical values: real specimens vary. For more, see mindat.org.