Triplite
Mineral (Mn,Fe)2(PO4)F
About it
Brown to reddish masses in phosphate-rich granite pegmatites, and rarely clear orange gem crystals. Gem material has come from Pakistan and Brazil; massive triplite is widespread.
- Type
- Mineral
- Group
- Phosphate, triplite group
- Formula
- (Mn,Fe)2(PO4)F
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 5–5.5
- Specific gravity
- 3.5–3.9
- Streak
- pale yellowish brown
- Lustre
- vitreous (glassy), resinous
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Colours
- brown, reddish brown, salmon, orange, black
- Transparency
- translucent, opaque
- Cleavage and fracture
- good in one direction; uneven to subconchoidal fracture
Typical values: real specimens vary. For more, see mindat.org.