STRUVITE

    Class : Phosphates, arsenates, vanadates
    Subclass : Hydrated phosphates
    Crystal system : Orthorhombic
    Chemistry : (NH4)MgPO4 6H2O
    Rarity : Rare

Struvite is a curious "organic" phosphate, whose crystallization requires NH4 groups, generally provided by more or less putrid organic materials. It was named in honor of the Russian diplomat and mineral collector Heinrich Christian Gottfried Struve. Struvite occurs in crystals of extremely varied appearances (short prismatic, tabular, equant, beveled, coffin-shaped, etc...), often with a marked hemimorphism; the largest measure 3 cm. Struvite is colorless, sometimes tinged yellowish or brownish by impurities; upon dehydration it whitens and becomes powdery. It is also a common component of human urinary concretions.

Main photo : Struvite from Falkland Islands © Jolyon Ralph

Struvite in the World

Struvite thrives in organic environments and its deposits have the merit of originality and atypicality. Beautiful crystals are known in peat beds mixed with horse manure (Hamburg, Germany), in fossil mammoth teeth associated with newberryite (Quartz Creek, Yukin, Canada), in organic sediments from Limfjord (Denmark), etc. However, it seems to have a pronounced taste for guano deposits, which explains its presence in many bat caves such as Niah (Malaysia) or Boons (South Africa), and on many islands, usually sparsely populated.

Struvite in France

Struvite is not present in the French undergound.

Twinning

Twinning is common on {001}.

Fakes and treatments

No fakes listed for this mineral species.


Hardness : 1.5 to 2
Density : 1.71
Fracture : Irregular to sub-conchoidal
Streak : White

TP : Translucent to transparent
RI : 1.494 to 1.504
Birefringence : 0.009
Optical character : Biaxial +
Pleochroism : None
Fluorescence : None

Solubility : Acids

Magnetism : NoneRadioactivity : None

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