PARASYMPLESITE

    Class : Phosphates, arsenates, vanadates
    Subclass : Hydrated arsenates
    Crystal system : Monoclinic
    Chemistry : Fe3(AsO4)2 8H2O
    Rarity : Uncommon

Parasymplesite is an uncommon arsenate forming a series with köttigite (zinciferous). It is a secondary mineral from the oxidation zone of hydrothermal deposits of arsenic base metals, which accompanies other arsenates (scorodite, pharmacosiderite, etc...). Its name comes from the Greek para (near) and its dimorphic relationship with symplesite. Parasymplesite is found in elongated and sometimes flattened millimetric crystals, usually grouped together in radiated tufts, sometimes in fibroradiated spherolites. Its color is variable but remains in green and blue tones, ranging from pale blue to greenish blue when fresh, and evolving towards very dark greens and blue-blacks by oxidation. It can be purple when it is cobalt-bearing.

Main photo : Parasymplesite in 2.5 cm crystals from Ojuela Mine, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico © Rock Currier

Parasymplesite from Kiura Mine, Saiki, Japan © D. Nishio-Hamane
Parasymplesite from the Lescondan quarry, Finistère, France © Michel Bocianowski
Parasymplesite from Ste-Marie-aux-Mines, Haut-Rhin, France © Thierry Brunsperger
Parasymplesite from Oumlil Mine, Morocco © Christophe Boutry

Parasymplesite in the World

The most beautiful samples known are acicular crystals exceeding 2.5 cm and forming tufts and radiated aggregates from the Ojuela mine near Mapimi (Mexico). The discovery site, Kiura (Japan) also provided beautiful samples. Parasymplesite is also listed in the oxidation zone of quite a few German veins (Clara mine, St-Andréasberg, Schneeberg, etc...). The Bou-Azzer cobalt mine (Morocco) also gave good samples alongside erythite. It is also reported in Dundas (Australia), Ogdensburg (New Jersey), Baia Sprie (Romania) and in the Lavrion slag (Greece).

Parasymplesite in France

In France, parasymplesite is known in several veins in Ste-Marie-aux-Mine (Haut-Rhin) as well as in Salsigne (Aude) and at the Lescondan quarry (Finistère).

Twinning

No twin known for this mineral species.

Fakes and treatments

No fakes listed for this mineral species.


Hardness : 2
Density : 3.01
Fracture : Undetermined
Streak : Blue to pale green

TP : Translucent to transparent
RI : 1.628 to 1.705
Birefringence : 0.080
Optical character : Biaxial -
Pleochroism : Strong
Fluorescence : None

Solubility : Acids

Magnetism : NoneRadioactivity : None

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