Purpurite

Purpurite

Purpurite is a rare, purple mineral with a stunning, almost iridescent color. Purpurite is a rare manganese iron phosphate secondary mineral, formed by oxidation of iron and or manganese with leached lithium from lithiophilite. The name "purpurite" comes from the Latin word "purpura" for "purple," appropriately describing its most common hue. The color is usually a deep purple; however, it may range from a brownish black and violet to dark red and reddish purple to a pinkish-purple to lavender pink. The color depends upon the ratios of Iron, Manganese and lithium during the formation process. Purpurite forms cleavable, blocky masses that are vitreous to sub vitreous; sometimes silky on cleavage planes with that silky luster often called out to be chatoyant looking.

Our local NC type locality for purpurite is:

Faires Tin mine, Kings Mountain, Gaston Co., North Carolina, USA.

Other notable localities include:

Branchville, Fairfield Co., Connecticut, USA

Custer district, Custer Co., South Dakota, USA

Stewart mine and Tincon pegmatite, Pala district, San Diego Co. California, USA

Joao Firmino Mine, Pomarolli farm region, Divino das Laranjeiras, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Chanteloube, Haute-Vienne dept., France

Kitumba, Rwanda, Sandamab, and Erongo, Namibia

Wodgina, Marble Bar, Western Australia, Australia