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The dominant building block of this mineral class is the PO4– tetrahedron. Phosphorus, arsenic, and vanadium may substitute for each other within the tetrahedron.
The typical mineral is vitreous to dull, often strongly colored, above average average in density, has an average hardness and a low index of refraction. The minerals of this class can have very complex chemical relationships and structures. It is a large mineral class but many members are rare.
Occurs chiefly in granite pegmatites of the lithium- and phosphate-rich type. Crystals may be enormous in size. Discovered in 1818, this minerals name comes from two Greek words meaning “blunt” and “angle”, in allusion to the angle between the cleavages. More…
Discovered in 1860, this mineral is named from the Greek word “to deceive”, as it was often confused with other minerals. It is widely disseminated as an accessory constituent in all classes of rocks; igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. Fluorapatite is by far the most common species of this mineral group. More…
This mineral is characterized by its yellow-green color and strong fluorescence in UV light. An ore of uranium, its name comes from Autun, France. It is found in the oxidation zone of uranium bearing rocks, including hydrothermal veins and granitic pegmatites. More…
This mineral is characterized by its yellow color. It occurs in Colorado Plateau type uranium deposits, near playas and is an ore of both vanadium and uranium. Discovered in 1899, it was named after Marie-Aldophe Carnot (1839-1920), French mining engineer and chemist. More…
The association of this mineral with other cobalt minerals and its pink color are usually sufficient to distinguish it from all other minerals. It occurs as a secondary mineral in the oxidation zone of some Ni-C0-As mineral deposits but has no economic importance. It is used as a guide to other cobalt minerals and associated native silver. It was named in 1832 by Francois Sulpice Beaudant from the Greek for red. More…
A rare mineral found in high-grade quartz-rich metamorphic rock and in pegmatites. This mineral was discovered in 1795 and its name is derived from an Arabic word meaning “heaven”, in allusion to the color of the mineral. It is a minor gem stone. More…
A widely distributed mineral as an accessory in granitic igneous rocks and gneissic metamorphic rocks, and in detrital sands derived from them. It is concentrated in sands because of its resistance to chemical attack and its high specific gravity. The chief source of thorium oxide, this mineral was derived from a Greek word meaning “to be solitary” in allusion to the rarity of the mineral. More…
A secondary lead mineral found in the oxidized zones of lead deposits, this mineral is characterized by its crystal form, high luster, and high specific gravity. The name is derived from two Greek words meaning “fire” and “form” in allusion to the apparent crystalline form it assumes on cooling from fusion. More…
Discovered in 1834, this mineral occurs in granite pegmatites. The name is derived from the Greek for “threefold, plus “family” because it was thought to contain three cations (Fe, Li, Mn). More…
Easily recognized by its color, it is harder than chrysocolla, the only common mineral which it resembles. It is used as a gem stone and is cut in round or oval forms. Named in antiquity from French “turquoise” meaning “Turkish”; the original material from the mountains of Iran found its way to Europe via Turkey. More…
The name of this mineral reflects its vanadium content. It is a rare secondary mineral found in the oxidized portion of lead veins. It was first discovered by Señor A.M. del Rio (1764-1849), Professor, School of Mines of Mexico, Zimapan, before the element vanadium was discovered in 1830. More…
Named by Abraham Gottlob Werner in 1817 after John Henry Vivian, an English politician, mine owner, and mineralogist living in Truro, Cornwall and discoverer of the mineral. When fresh, the mineral may be colorless and once exposed, will change to deep blue to deep bluish green prismatic to flattened crystals. More…
Named in 1805 for William Wavell (1750-1829), a physician in Devonshire, England, who discovered the mineral. It is a secondary mineral found in low grade metamorphic rocks. It usually found as radiating “starburst” clusters of green fibrous crystals. More…