Purpurite
Mineral Mn3+PO4
About it
Vivid purple masses with a satiny sheen, formed when lithiophilite weathers in pegmatites. Specimens come from Namibia and the Black Hills of South Dakota; heterosite is its iron-rich partner.
- Type
- Mineral
- Group
- Phosphate, triphylite group
- Formula
- Mn3+PO4
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 4–4.5
- Specific gravity
- 3.2–3.4
- Streak
- reddish purple
- Lustre
- submetallic, dull, earthy
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Colours
- purple, deep red-purple, rose
- Transparency
- opaque, translucent
- Cleavage and fracture
- good in one direction
Typical values: real specimens vary. For more, see mindat.org.