PURPURITE

HISTORY, NAME, LOCALITIES: Although known for centuries, purpurite was not recognized as a mineral species until 1905.  Its name stems from the Latin purpureus, meaning “purple-red” in allusion to its color.  Collecting localities are found in Portugal, South Africa, Namibia, Germany, and the United States (Maine, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Arizona).

MINERALOGY, PROPERTIES, OCCURRENCE: Purpurite [manganese phosphate, MnPO₄], pronounced PURR-purr-rite, crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, but rarely forms recognizable crystals.  It occurs primarily in massive or granular form, or as coatings or crusts.  It has a Mohs hardness of 4.0-4.5, good cleavage in one direction, vitreous luster, and a specific gravity of 3.3.  Because purpurite participates in a solid-solution series with iron-rich heterosite, it always contains considerable amounts of iron.  Its color, which is due to the essential element manganese, is a distinctive and diagnostic bright purple, reddish-purple, or purple-brown.  Purpurite is a rare, secondary mineral that forms only from the oxidation of lithiophilite (lithium manganese phosphate) in granite pegmatites.

METAPHYSICAL PROPERTIES, LORE, USES: According to modern metaphysical beliefs, purpurite enables one to speak with confidence, promotes spirituality and inner confidence, enhances insight and understanding, and helps avoid self-destructive or self-limiting patterns.  Purpurite had limited use as a purple pigment during the Renaissance period in Europe.  Today, small amounts of massive purpurite are tumbled into beads or carved into ornamental objects.

COLLECTORS’ INFORMATION: Purpurite is collected for its bright purple colors, rarity, and unusual tendency not form crystals.