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

Symplesite is a rare arsenate, dimorphic of parasymplesite. It is a secondary mineral present in the oxidation zone of hydrothermal deposits of arsenic base metals, which accompanies other arsenates (scorodite, pharmacosiderite, etc...). Its name comes from the Greek sun (with) and plesiazein (to group together), because it occurs in close association with other arsenic minerals. It is found in elongated and sometimes flattened millimeter crystals, usually gathered in radiate tufts, sometimes in fibroradiate spherulites. Like parasymplesite, its color is variable but remains in green and blue tones, ranging from pale blue to greenish blue when fresh, and changing to very dark greens and blue-blacks through oxidation. 

Main photo : Symplesite from Mapimi, Durango, Mexico © Marek Patus

Twinning is known on {1-10}.

No fakes listed for this mineral species.