heterosite
Detailed sheet
heterosite
Its name comes from the Greek “hetero”, other, because on the same deposit it was the second mineral containing manganese to be discovered.
It forms a group with purpurite, the iron pole of the phosphate is the heterosite and purpurite the manganiferous pole.
CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS
FeMn[PO4]
iron - magnesium phosphate
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Main color
purple
Other colors
brown, pink, green
Color of streak
brown
Luster
silky
Hardness
4.0 to 4.5
Density
3.20 to 3.40
Cleavage
good
Fracture
uneven
cleavage only on one axe is noticed
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
Transparency
opaque
Refractive index
1.860 - 1.910
Double refraction
0.005
very weak, biaxial (-)
visible double refraction
No
Dispersion
++
Pleochroism
strong
Number of colors
3
red, violet, grey - green
Fluorescence
none
CRYSTALS PROPERTIES
often massive
crystals system
orthorhombic
OTHER INFORMATIONS
APPROACHING GEMS
Exploited
sites
It is found in Brazil (Sapucaia do Norte in Minas Gerais), Rwanda, at Omeo in Australia, in Spain at Cap de Creus, Sweden, Austria, Bavaria, Germany, in many mines in the United States.
use in jewelry
it is cabochon cut, it is a collection stone
imitations and
treatments
Its color is enhanced by acid treatment.
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