Mineral description : Heterosite

Heterosite from Varuträsk. A small nodule above the blue tourmaline. Showing the brown oxidised surface.

Mineral class	Phosphates : Vivianite - Skorodite - Triplite group
Chemical formula	(Fe,Mn)(PO4)
Crystal system	Orthorombic
Habitus	As nodules and lumps.
Cleavage
Hardness	4-4.5
Density
Color	Dark red, silky to matte. Often with a brown to black surface of oxidation products.
Streak	Pale red.
Luster	Silky to matte.
Description	Heterosite is an oxidation product that represents the end member of the serie triphylite - ferrisicklerite - heterosite. It's the iron rich analog to purpurite.
Occurance
Associates	Ferrisicklerite, triphylite.
Notes	The brown tarnish is easily removed with hydrochloric acid. Be careful, or you will ruin your sample. Occurs often as irregular aggregates.
Locations	A rare mineral in Sweden. Varuträsk pegmatite, Skellefteå, Västerbotten. As nodules up to 40 cm. Norrö, Stockholm.

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