Ferroberaunite

ferroberaunite

beraunite

limonite

phosphate

Images

Formula: Fe2+Fe3+5(PO4)4(OH)5.6H2O
Hydrated phosphate containing hydroxyl, beraunite group
Specific gravity: 2.94 measured, 2.907 calculated
Hardness: 3 to 4
Streak: Pale olive-green
Colour: Dark green to olive-green
Solubility: Dissolves easily in hydrochloric acid (35%), slowly in orthophosphoric acid (85%) and not at all in nitric acid
Environments

Pegmatites
Sedimentary environments

Although ferroberaunite was approved only in 2021, it is not a new mineral; previously it was called beraunite, which now has been redefined as Fe3+6(PO4)4(OH)4.6H2O

Localities

At the type locality, the Gravel Hill Mine, Perran Iron Lode, Perranzabuloe, Cornwall, England, UK, ferroberaunite occurs in cavities of limonite iron ore. Its flattened prismatic crystals up to 400 μm long are dark green to olive green, transparent to translucent, with a vitreous lustre, pearly on cleavages (MM 86.3.363-372).

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