LEUCOPHOSPHITE
Class : Phosphates, arsenates, vanadates
Subclass : Hydrated phosphates
Crystal system : Monoclinic
Chemistry : KFe2(PO4)2(OH) 2H2O
Rarity : Uncommon to fairly common
Leucophosphite is a relatively common secondary phosphate. It can form by replacement of primary phosphate minerals in many environments : granitic pegmatites, phosphorites, fluorapatite nodules in black shales, and also by reaction between guano and iron minerals. Its name comes from the Greek leukos (white) and phosphate in reference to its color and chemical composition. Leucophosphite crystals are rare, pseudo-orthorhombic prismatic, and often gathered in columnar aggregates. More commonly, leucophosphite occurs in lamellar or chalky masses. Its color is white to greenish or in different tones of brown and red-brown to purple.
Main photo : Leucophosphite from Puech de Leguo, La Capelle-Bleys, Villefranche-de-Rouergue, Aveyron, France © Jean-Marc Johannet
Leucophosphite in the World
Twinning
No twin officially known for this mineral species, but V-shaped crystals suggest the opposite.
Fakes and treatments
No fakes recorded for this mineral species.
Hardness : 3.5
Density : 2.948
Fracture : Undetermined
Streak : White
TP : Translucent to transparent
RI : 1.707 to 1.739
Birefringence : 0.032
Optical character : Biaxial +
Pleochroism : None
Fluorescence : None
Solubility : Sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid
Magnetism : NoneRadioactivity : None