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.

HETEROSITE

HISTORY, NAME, LOCALITIES: Heterosite, pronounced hett-er-OSE-ite, was recognized as a mineral species in 1826.  Its name stems from the Greek heteros, meaning “other” or “’different,” because it was the second manganese-containing mineral to be discovered at the type locality.  Collecting areas are found in Namibia, Australia, Austria, Germany, France, Italy, Brazil, Spain, and the United States (Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massachusetts, South Dakota).

MINERALOGY, PROPERTIES, OCCURRENCE: Heterosite [iron phosphate, FePO₄] crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, usually in massive or granular form or as coatings and crusts.  It has a Mohs hardness of 4.0-4.5, good cleavage in one direction, a silky luster, and a specific gravity of 3.4.  Because heterosite participates in a solid-solution series with purpurite (manganese oxide), it always contains some manganese.  Heterosite is an opaque mineral that is usually purplish-brown in color, but may also be greenish brown or dark, pinkish-brown.  It is a rare, secondary mineral that forms from the oxidation of triphylite (lithium iron phosphate) in granite pegmatites.

METAPHYSICAL PROPERTIES, LORE, USES: The metaphysical properties of heterosite are similar to those of purpurite.  It is thought to enable one to speak with confidence, promote spirituality and inner confidence, enhance insight and understanding, and help avoid destructive or self-limiting patterns.  Heterosite is not used in jewelry and has no technological uses.

COLLECTORS’ INFORMATION: Heterosite is collected for its rarity and unusual color.