Switzerite

Formula: (Mn,Fe)3(PO4)2.7H2O

Origin of name: for G. Switzer, American mineralogist

 

Crystal system: monoclinic

Crystal class: 2/m

Twinning: 

Unit cell: 

 

Colour: pink to brown

Diaphaneity: transparent to translucent

Luster: vitreous to pearly

Habit: crystals tabular or bladed, to 5 mm

Hardness: 1

Specific gravity: 2.535

Cleavage: 1; {001} perfect

Tenacity: 

Streak: 

 

Synonyms/varieties:

 

Comments: alters reversibly to metaswitzerite in minutes in air

 

Back to Alphabetical list Colour photos Thin sections SEM images TEM images vibrational spectra description IR spectra Raman spectra N-IR spectra F-IR spectra IES spectra