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1.85" Lavender Purpurite-Heterosite Formation - Colorado
This is an alluring 1.85" wide section of rich lavender purpurite-heterosite. It was broken away from a large formation of purpurite-heterosite rich rock in Larimer County, Colorado. Specimens from Colorado are often acid-etched (dilute HCl) to remove surface manganese oxides and enhance the purple color which is possibly the case with this specimen.
It has been mounted to an acrylic display base with mineral tack.
It has been mounted to an acrylic display base with mineral tack.
About Purpurite-Heterosite
Purpurite and heterosite are manganese-iron phosphate minerals that form a solid solution series, where purpurite is the manganese-rich end member and heterosite is the iron-rich one. They form a continuous series, meaning specimens can have varying ratios of iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn). It's often difficult to distinguish them visually in the field, requiring chemical analysis (Fe-Mn ratio) to confirm if a specimen is purpurite or heterosite.
They form through the oxidation of primary lithium-rich minerals like lithiophilite and triphylite, which occur in the distal parts of beryl-rich pegmatites. In Colorado, the Crystal Mountain District in Larimer County is the primary locality for minerals in the Purpurite-Heterosite series. Manganese gives purpurite its characteristic purple to reddish hues, while iron in heterosite can lead to darker brown-black colors.
General chemical formula of purpurite - (Mn3 + Fe3)(PO4)
General chemical formula of heterosite - (Fe3 + Mn3)(PO4)
Purpurite and heterosite are manganese-iron phosphate minerals that form a solid solution series, where purpurite is the manganese-rich end member and heterosite is the iron-rich one. They form a continuous series, meaning specimens can have varying ratios of iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn). It's often difficult to distinguish them visually in the field, requiring chemical analysis (Fe-Mn ratio) to confirm if a specimen is purpurite or heterosite.
They form through the oxidation of primary lithium-rich minerals like lithiophilite and triphylite, which occur in the distal parts of beryl-rich pegmatites. In Colorado, the Crystal Mountain District in Larimer County is the primary locality for minerals in the Purpurite-Heterosite series. Manganese gives purpurite its characteristic purple to reddish hues, while iron in heterosite can lead to darker brown-black colors.
General chemical formula of purpurite - (Mn3 + Fe3)(PO4)
General chemical formula of heterosite - (Fe3 + Mn3)(PO4)
SPECIES
Purpurite-Heterosite, Mica & Feldspar
LOCATION
Crystal Mountain Pegmatite Mining District, Larimer County, Colorado
SIZE
1.85 x 1.2"
CATEGORY
ITEM
#347650
