Triplite

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Triplite
Category Phosphate mineral
Chemical formula (Mn,Fe)2(PO4)(F,OH)
Identification
Color Brown, Salmon, Red
Crystal habit Prismatic, Massive to granular
Crystal system Monoclinic
Cleavage Good
Fracture Uneven - Flat surfaces
Mohs Scale hardness 5
Luster Resinous - Greasy
Refractive index nα=1.650, nβ=1.660, nγ=1.680
Streak Yellowish gray
Specific gravity 3.44 - 3.9

Triplite is a manganese iron(II) fluoro-hydroxide phosphate mineral with formula (Mn,Fe2+)2(PO4)(F,OH). Calcium and magnesium commonly substitute in the divalent cation site. It is black to brown to red in colour and is found in granite pegmatites and high temperature hydrothermal veins.

Triplite was first described in 1813 for an occurrence in Chanteloube, Limousin, France. The name is from the Greek triplos for triple, in reference to the three cleavage directions.

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