Triplite

triplite

lithiophilite

muscovite

wolfeite

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Formula: (Mn2+,Fe2+)2(PO4)F
Anhydrous phosphate containing halogen, forms a series with zwieselite, manganese-bearing mineral
Crystal System: Monoclinic
Specific gravity: 3.5 to 3.9 measured, 3.94 calculated
Hardness: 5 to 5½
Streak: White to brown
Colour: Brown, red-brown, dark brown, black; light brownish yellow to dark reddish brown in transmitted light
Solubility: Soluble in acids
Common impurities: Sc
Environments:

Pegmatites
Hydrothermal environments

Triplite is a primary phosphate in granite pegmatites which are phosphate-rich. Where the hydrothermal mineral assemblage is relatively simple, associated minerals are albite, beryl, muscovite, sulphides, tourmaline and columbite. For occurrences of triplite in the more complex phosphatic type of pegmatite, associated minerals include triphylite, apatite, and many other phosphates. Columbite, beryl, sulphides, muscovite, wolfeite, triphylite-lithiophilite and tourmaline are other typical associates, and minor cassiterite may be present (AM 32.518-526, Dana). Triplite may also be a secondary mineral replacing earlier species, such as lithiophilite; triplite also occurs in high-temperature hydrothermal tin veins. Associated minerals include triploiditewolfeite, triphylitelithiophilite, phosphosiderite, vivianite, apatite, tourmaline, sphalerite, pyrite and quartz (HOM).

Localities

In Bolivia, tin veins occur that contain triplite, cassiterite, stannite, molybdenite and other sulphides (AM 36.256-271).

At Schlaggenwald, Bohemia, Czech Republic, triplite occurs in tin veins where cassiterite and molybdenite also are found (AM 36.256-271).

Aa Tammela, Finland, triplite-bearing lithium pegmatites with lepidolite and spodumene or amblygonite or both occur. The triplite is usually accompanied by other phosphates and beryl, tourmaline, muscovite, and tantalum minerals (AM 36.256-271, Dana).

The type locality is Chanteloube, Razès, Haute-Vienne, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France.

At Heian-hokudo, North Korea, triplite occurs in a tin-tungsten vein deposit with cassiterite, teallite and stannite, wolframite and scheelite, and the bismuth minerals, bismuthinite, native bismuth and cosalite. Molybdenite and several other common sulphides also are present (AM 36.256-271).

In the Karibib and Erongo areas of Namibia, triplite-bearing pegmatites occur characterised by cassiterite, lepidolite, tourmaline, wolframite, tantalite and muscovite (AM 36.256-271).

At the Namlook mine, Braldu River Valley, Northern Areas, Pakistan, triplite has been found in a black manganese oxide matrix (Minrec 37.6.537-539).

At Horrsjoberg, Varmland, Sweden, quartz veins contain svanbergite, lazulite, apatite, kyanite, triplite, pyrophyllite, muscovite variety damourite, rutile, ilmenite, garnet, tourmaline and pyrite (AM 36.256-271, Dana).

In the Black Hills, near Wickenberg, Maricopa county, Arizona, triplite-bearing lithium pegmatites with lepidolite and either spodumene or amblygonite or both occur. The triplite is usually accompanied by other phosphates and beryl, tourmaline, muscovite, and tantalum minerals (AM 36.256-271, Dana).

Near the Bagdad Copper Mine, about 25 miles west of Hillside, Yavapai county, Arizona, USA, triplite occurs within a pegmatite composed mainly of milky quartz with some orthoclase and muscovite, apparently completely enclosed within a coarse-grained granite. The triplite was associated with mica and fluorite (AM 21.656-661).

In El Paso County, Colorado, USA, triplite has been found in a pegmatite, associated with quartz, microcline, and muscovite (AM 32.518-526).

At the Mica Lode Mine, Eight Mile Park Pegmatite Mining District, Fremont county, Colorado, USA, triplite occurs in hydrothermal replacement deposits. Beryl, with which the triplite is associated, is abundant locally. Triplite pods as much as two feet long were observed in place. Some nodules of triplite are corroded and veined by albite and muscovite (AM 32.518-526).

At the School Section mine, Eight Mile Park pegmatite District, Fremont county, Colorado, USA, triplite is associated with muscovite, plagioclase, black tourmaline, and beryl. The plagioclase is of two types: pink albite variety oligoclase-albite and white albite variety cleavelandite. The triplite-bearing units, which are clearly secondary, probably formed by hydrothermal replacement of parts of the cores and parts of the adjoining graphic granite quartz-muscovite zone (AM 32.518-526).

at Haddam Neck, Connecticut, USA, triplite-bearing lithium pegmatites with lepidolite and either spodumene or amblygonite or both occur, usually accompanied by other phosphates and beryl, tourmaline, muscovite and tantalum minerals (AM 36.256-271, Dana).

Near Aurum, Nevada, USA, triplite occurs in tungsten veins with hübnerite, scheelite and the bismuthinite-native bismuth-cosalite assemblage (AM 36.256-271, Dana).

At Camp Signal, near Goffs, San Bernadino county, California, triplite occurs in tungsten veins with hübnerite (AM 36.256-271, Dana).

Alteration

Triplite often weathers to vivianite, dufrénite and phosphosiderite-like minerals or manganese oxyhydroxides (AM 36.256-271, Dana).

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