2.4" Rough Purple Purpurite Manganese Mineral Specimen Location Namibia
Location: Namibia
Weight: 2.4 Ounces
Dimensions: 2.4 Inches Long, 1.2 Inches Wide, 1.1 Inches Thick
The item pictured is the one you will receive.
Purpurite is a rare and captivating manganese iron phosphate mineral, known for its vibrant purple colors. Its name comes from the Latin “purpura,” meaning purple, reflecting its rich hues that range from deep violet to warm reddish-purple. Made mostly of manganese phosphate (MnPO4·H2O), this mineral’s iron content creates unique variations in its color and texture. Add this distinctive and beautiful specimen to your collection and experience the allure of nature’s finest pigments.
Purpurite emerges as a secondary mineral through the alteration of primary manganese-bearing minerals like lithiophilite and triphylite. This metamorphosis typically takes place within phosphate-rich settings, notably in granite pegmatites, underscoring its geological refinement and rarity.
The physical properties of purpurite include:
- Color: Ranges from violet to deep red/pink.
- Hardness: 4-4.5 on the Mohs scale.
- Crystal Structure: Orthorhombic.
- Luster: Dull to earthy or satiny.
- Transparency: Typically translucent to opaque.
