I find it strange that Fe3+ ions can be purple rather than rusty. Think of ferric alum. I have heard that the colour of amethyst could be due to minor substitution of Fe3+ for Si, rather than the much touted manganese. Quite a few amethysts seem to bear inclusions of goethite ….and pyrolusite! Bill.
The streak is white, so probably not good for pigment.
Too little of it anyway, right?! And with phosphates, soooo many metals mix into so many different species that quantity and purity would be hard to come by.
Though they are often pretty, I find the jumble of metals on phosphates annoying. Do you?
love the nice sharp euhedral strengite!
The crystals are very similar to those from the La Paloma mine - Zarza la Mayor - Caceres - Spain
I find it strange that Fe3+ ions can be purple rather than rusty. Think of ferric alum. I have heard that the colour of amethyst could be due to minor substitution of Fe3+ for Si, rather than the much touted manganese. Quite a few amethysts seem to bear inclusions of goethite ….and pyrolusite! Bill.
Nice shot, Steve.
The streak is white, so probably not good for pigment.
Too little of it anyway, right?! And with phosphates, soooo many metals mix into so many different species that quantity and purity would be hard to come by.
Though they are often pretty, I find the jumble of metals on phosphates annoying. Do you?
Thanks Mike. They can be a bit annoying!