Eosphorite - Encyclopedia
Class : Phosphates, arsenates, vanadates
Subclass : Hydrated phosphates
Crystal system : Monoclinic
Chemistry : MnAl(PO4)(OH)2 H2O
Rarity : Rare
Eosphorite is a hydrated phosphate typical of pegmatites rich in phosphorus, and of certain hydrothermal veins. It forms an isomorphic series with childrenite, its iron equivalent. It takes its name from the Greek eosphoros (glow of dawn) in allusion to its frequently pink color. Eosphorite appears, like childrenite, in equant crystals, or finely tabular prismatic pyramidal crystals, striated according to elongation, frequently grouped in sheaves. It is a transparent to translucent mineral, yellow-brown to pink-red, sometimes yellowish in color.
Main photo : Eosphorite on rose quartz from Ilha claim, Taquaral, Itinga, Minas Gerais, Brazil © Rock Currier
Eosphorite in the World
Twinning
Twins are known on {100} and {001}.
Fakes and treatments
No fake listed for this mineral species.
Hardness : 5
Density : 3.06 to 3.08
Fracture : Irregular to sub-conchoidal
Streak : White
TP : Translucent to transparent
RI : 1.628 to 1.679
Birefringence : 0.029 to 0.035
Optical character : Biaxial -
Pleochroism : Visible
Fluorescence : None
Solubility : Acids
Magnetism : None
Radioactivity : None