Log In
Heterosite-Purpurite Series from USA
CRP-QXAHeterosite-Purpurite Series
Custer County, South Dakota, USADimensions: 2.5 inches x 1.75 inches x 1.5 inches
I was told it was from White Elephant Mine. Most likely Heterosite, but no testing has been done. Associated with other phosphates.
G5A-VNFHeterosite-Purpurite Series
Ross Mine, Berne, Custer Mining District, Custer County, South Dakota, USADimensions: 6 cm x 5 cm x 4 cm
Purple heterosite-purpurite (for discussion see http://www.mindat.org/mesg-7-390958.html) covering many faces of large mass of matrix. The heterosite-purpurite has a sheen when illuminated at the right angle. Overall size of mineral specimen: 6x5x4 cm. Size of individual crystals: -.
JJT-XU7Purpurite Mn3+(PO4) , Triploidite Mn2+2(PO4)(OH) , Albite (Var: Cleavelandite) Na(AlSi3O8) , Natrophilite NaMn2+PO4
Fillow Quarry, Branchville, Redding, Fairfield County, Connecticut, USAField of View: 14 mm
Dark purple purpurite alterations from orange triploidite, the triploidite being an alteration of primary lithiophilite - not present in this image. The purpurite formed as a rind between the phosphates and white to pale purplish colored cleavelandite on the bottom half. Note the presence of very minor orange more vitreous natrophilite between the purpurite and the triploidite.
S420-660 N7517N
276-AKVHeterosite Fe3+(PO4) , Albite Na(AlSi3O8) , Quartz SiO2 , Muscovite KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Black Mountain Quarry, Rumford, Oxford County, Maine, USADimensions: 10 cm x 5 cm
Purple heterosite replacing triphyllite crystals. The matrix contains gray quartz, albite, and much altered muscovite and black manganese oxides.
[identity uncertain] XEG-E1YPurpurite Mn3+(PO4) , Triplite Mn2+2(PO4)F , Alluaudite (Na,Ca)Mn2+(Fe3+,Mn2+,Fe2+,Mg)2(PO4)3
Larimer County, Colorado, USADimensions: 4.8 cm x 4.1 cm x 3.3 cm
This colorful specimen was found in Larimer County, Colorado. There was some discussion about what this is here: https://www.mindat.org/mesg-605002.html
Here are some notes in the discussion from Dan Polhemus:
"It is not visually possible to tell whether one is dealing with purpurite or heterosite from these localities, since both occur and form an intergrading series. As such, it is necessary to analyze any given specimen for the Fe-Mn ratio to be sure what you have in hand. The local convention has been to refer to all un-tested specimens as purpurite.
The specimens for sale at the shows in Denver had, like many from this area, been treated with dilute hydrochloric acid to strip off the overlying manganese oxides and enhance the purple color. In the field the purple is a bit duller, but still quite distinctive. Frequently associated minerals are black triplite and yellowish to olive alluaudite, the latter being an alteration product that sometimes replaces the triplite or purpurite."
[identity uncertain] LMX-QEXHeterosite Fe3+(PO4) , Triphylite LiFe2+PO4 , Muscovite KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Helen Beryl Mine, Fourmile, Custer Mining District, Custer County, South Dakota, USADimensions: 7 cm x 5 cm x 3.5 cm
Weight: 128 g
Heterosite on altered triphylite with muscovite.
EA7-5R2Purpurite Mn3+(PO4) , Heterosite Fe3+(PO4) , Gummite
Double Opening Prospect, Crystal Mountain Pegmatite Mining District, Larimer County, Colorado, USADimensions: 6.5 cm x 4.0 cm x 4.0 cm
Weight: 94 g
Massive purpurite veined with black heterosite. The purpurite has a porous appearance & trace yellow gummite crusts occur.
W61-K1YPurpurite Mn3+(PO4)
B.B. No. 7 Quarry, Norway, Oxford County, Maine, USADimensions: 3.3 cm x 3.2 cm x 3.0 cm
A very hard to find specimen of purpurite from Maine. Purpurite is a relatively rare manganese phosphate mineral. The species gets its name from its purple color, and it forms as the result of oxidation of manganese that combines with the simultaneous leaching of lithium from mica. Apparently in the 1990s, there was a small zone that was actually situated above the pegmatite at the B.B. No. 7 Quarry with purpurite and other phosphates. This piece is a great representative example of these incredibly hard to find specimens featuring beautiful vivid purple patches of purpurite on all sides of the specimen. From the collection of Bill Wilson (#101U).
MK3-LP5Purpurite Mn3+(PO4) , Triphylite ? LiFe2+PO4
Pack Rat Mine, Tule Mountain, Jacumba, San Diego County, California, USADimensions: 12 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm
12 x 10 x 10 cm. A very rare and unusual specimen, this is a large phosphate crystal from San Diego County. Few large phosphates ever turn up in these gem pegmatites. This one features a large crystal of triphylite, replaced by purpurite. An old specimen, from the Robert Nowakowski and Chris Korpi Collections.
RFL-0P7Heterosite Fe3+(PO4)
Rose Quartz crystal locality, Newry, Oxford County, Maine, USADimensions: 3 cm x 2 cm x 1.5 cm
Rectangular mass of lilac-purple heterosite. Overall size of mineral specimen: 3x2x1.5 cm.











