Description
Location: Namibia
Weight: 4.1 Ounces
Dimensions: 3.1 Inches Long, 1.7 Inches Wide, 1.2 Inches Thick
The item pictured is the one you will receive.
Purpurite is a rare manganese iron phosphate mineral known for its vivid purple coloration. Its name comes from the Latin “purpura”, meaning purple. The mineral ranges in color from deep violet to reddish-purple and is primarily composed of manganese phosphate (MnPO₄·H₂O). Variations in iron content can affect the intensity and hue of its color.
Purpurite is a secondary mineral that forms through the alteration of primary manganese-bearing minerals such as lithiophilite and triphylite. This process typically occurs in phosphate-rich environments, especially within granite pegmatites.
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.