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Minerals - Variscite | TerraCollect

Mineral - Variscite

VarisciteAlPO₄ · 2H₂O

Chemical Properties

Mineral Class

Phosphates

Toxicity

none

Formula

AlPO₄ · 2H₂O

Unit Cell

a=9.82 b=9.63 c=8.56 Z=8

Physical Properties

Hardness

4.5

Streak

white

Density

Normal (2-3,5)

Optical Properties

Color

redgreenbluecolorless

Birefringence

0.031

Luster

Vitreous,

Waxy

Transparency

translucent,

transparent

Pleochroism

Geomineralogical Properties

Crystal System

Composition

Elements

Mass

P₂O₅

44.73

V₂O₅

0.32

Al₂O₃

32.40

Fe₂O₃

0.06

Cr₂O₃

0.18

H₂O

22.68

Utah (Palache et al. 1952)

Groups and Members

Variscite-Group

Cleavage

Distinct after {010}, indistinct after {001}

Fracture

splintery,

uneven

Tenacity

Brittle

orthorhombic

Point Group

orthorhombic-dipyramidal - 2/m 2/m 2/m

Space Group

Pbca (61)

Habit

coarse, bulbous, spherical, massive

Formation

Secondarily, through the action of phosphate-bearing solutions near the surface on aluminum-rich rocks under oxidizing conditions

Paragenesis

Twinning

Rarity

Rather rare

Synonyms

Variscite