SENEGALITE

    Class : Phosphates, arsenates, vanadates
    Subclass : Hydrated phosphates
    Crystal system : Orthorhombic
    Chemistry : Al2(PO4)(OH)3 H2O
    Rarity : Very rare

Senegalite is a hydrated aluminum phosphate known almost exclusively in the oxidation zone of the small magnetite deposit of Kourou Diakouma (Senegal). It owes its name to its country of discovery. Senegalite forms small colorless to pale green-yellow crystals lining geodes of turquoise, augelite and wavellite within massive limonite, thus composing very aesthetic samples.

Main photo : Senegalite sur turquoise de Mount Kourou Diakouma, Saraya, Senegal © Rob Lavinsky

Senegalite from Mount Kourou Diakouma, Saraya, Senegal © Gianfranco Ciccolini
Senegalite from Mount Kourou Diakouma, Saraya, Senegal © Carsten Slotta
Senegalite from Mount Kourou Diakouma, Saraya, Senegal © Henk Smeets
Senegalite from Jangada mine, Minas Gerais, Brazil © Christophe Boutry

Senegalite in the World

In addition to its type locality of Mount Kourou Kourou Diakouma in Senegal, senegalite is known in several Brazilian localities such as Aurizona Mine (Maranhão), Jangada Mine (Minas Gerais) and in the alkaline complex of Maicuru (Pará).

Senegalite in France

Senegalite is not present in the French underground.

Twinning

No known twinning for this mineral species.

Fakes and treatments

No fakes listed for this mineral species.


Hardness : 5.5
Density : 2.55
Fracture : Undetermined
Streak : White

TP : Transparent
RI : 1.562 to 1.587
Birefringence : 0.025
Optical character : Biaxial +
Pleochroism : None
Fluorescence : None

Solubility : -

Magnetism : NoneRadioactivity : None