HAGENDORFITE

    Class : Phosphates, arsenates, vanadates
    Subclass : Anhydrous phosphates
    Crystal system : Monoclinic
    Chemistry : NaCaMn(Fe,Mg)2(PO4)3
    Rarity : Very rare

Hagendorfite is a very rare primary phosphate found in complex granitic pegmatites and in phosphate nodules of schists. It forms a series with varulite. It owes its name to its discovery location : the pegmatites of Hagendorf (Germany). Hagendorfite forms masses or small greenish-black crystals of 4 mm at most. It is associated with triphyllite, wolfeite and hematite.

Main photo : Hagendorfite from Siglo Veinte Mine, Llallagua, Potosí, Bolivia © Rob Lavinsky

Hagendorfite in the World

Hagendorfite is found in compact dark green masses of a few centimeters in the pegmatites of Hagendorf (Germany), the type locality. It is also known in small dark green crystals in the pegmatite of Palermo (New Hampshire). The best crystals are lamellar and form aggregates in 5 mm rosettes at Siglo Veinte Mine near Llallagua (Bolivia).

Hagendorfite in France

Hagendorfite is not present in the French underground.

Twinning

No twin known for this mineral species.

Fakes and treatments

No fakes recorded for this mineral species.


Hardness : 3.5
Density : 3.71
Fracture : Irregular
Streak : Black to dark green

TP : Translucent
RI : 1.708 to 1.745
Birefringence : 0.014
Optical character : Biaxial -
Pleochroism : Strong
Fluorescence : None

Solubility : -

Magnetism : NoneRadioactivity : None