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The Mineral lithiophilite
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Lithiophilite is an end member of the Triphylite series, with Lithiophilite being the manganese-rich end member, and Triphylite being the iron-rich end member. Lithiophilite and Triphylite both commonly alter to secondary phosphates such as Vivianite, as well as to manganese and iron oxides.
Lithiophilite was named for its lithium content ("lithio"), and the Greek term, "philos", meaning friend, alluding to its composition of lithium as an integral component of its structure. |
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Chemical Formula |
Li(Mn2+)PO4 |
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Composition |
Manganese iron phosphate, with a varying range of iron |
| Variable Formula |
Li(Mn2+,Fe2+)PO4 |
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Color |
Peach orange, yellow, yellowish-red, light pink, reddish brown, brown, gray |
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Streak |
Colorless to light gray |
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Hardness |
4 |
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Crystal System |
Orthorhombic |
Crystal Forms
and Aggregates |
Mostly in massive or compact form. Distinct crystals are uncommon, any they are usually tabular or prismatic with blocky form. Microcrystals may be well formed as thin, slender elongated crystals and groupings. Cleavage fragments also exist, with distinct crystal faces within massive forms or rough crystals in matrix. |
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Transparency |
Transparent to translucent |
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Specific Gravity |
3.3 - 3.6 |
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Luster |
Vitreous, greasy |
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Cleavage |
1,1;3,2 |
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Fracture |
Uneven |
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Tenacity |
Brittle |
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In Group |
Phosphates; True Phosphates |
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Striking Features |
Cleavage habits and mode of occurrence |
| Environment |
Lithium-rich granite pegmatites |
| Rock Type |
Igneous |
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Popularity (1-4)
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3 |
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Prevalence (1-3)
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3 |
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Demand (1-3) |
3 |
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Lithiophilite is not common, and good examples of this mineral are relatively scarce. Large crystals, replaced by black oxides have come from the Stewart Mine, Pala, Pala District, San Diego Co., California. Transparent microcrystals, in fully transparent form as elongated brown crystals, were found at the Foote Lithium Mine, Cleveland Co., North Carolina. In Connecticut, massive Lithiophilite has come from the Fillow Quarry, Branchville, Fairfield Co.; and the Strickland Quarry, Portland, Middlesex Co. Large, dark gray, altered crystals have come from the Emmons Quarry, Greenwood, Oxford Co., Maine.
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