Vivianite

Vivianite is both a mineral and a group of related minerals, typically referred to as the vivianite group.

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Information about Vivianite

Vivianite is both a mineral and a group of related minerals, typically referred to as the vivianite group.

Vivianite the mineral is often found colourless or clear when originally exposed, but will continue to darken on exposure to light until the specimen becomes green-black.

The Vivianite group includes the following members:

  • Annabergite – Ni3(AsO4)2·8H2O – a bright green nickel bearing analogue.
  • Arupite – Ni3(PO4)2·8H2O – a pale blue nickel bearing analogue.
  • Baricite – (Mg2+,Fe2+)3(PO4)2·8H2O – a silvery-blue-grey Magnesium and Iron bearing analogue.
  • Erythrite – Co3(AsO4)2·8H2O – one of the most well known members, a pinky scarlet red / red-pink cobalt arsenate analogue.
  • Hörnesite – Mg3(AsO4)2·8H2O – the magnesium end of the arsenate series, usually white to off white colour.
  • Köttigite – Zn3(AsO4)2·8H2O – a zinc bearing member that is typically a dark black, a rich blue, or a dull brown colour.
  • Manganohörnesite – (Mn2+,Mg)3(AsO4)2·8H2O – a magnesium and manganese bearing member – typically white or colourless.
  • Pakhomovskyite – Co3(PO4)2·8H2O – a cobalt bearing bright pink member.
  • Parasymplesite – Fe2+3(AsO4)2·8H2O – an iron arsenate bearing mineral, dark green to greenish black.
  • Vivianite – Fe2+3(PO4)2·8H2O – an iron phosphate bearing mineral, dark green to greenish black.

Members of the group must contain a divalent metal cation – while vivianite alters to metavivianite, this is not considered a member of the vivianite group as it contains trivalent cations, rather than divalent.

 

Uses and History

Highly valued by collectors due to its unusual and distinct crystals.

Vivianite can be found inside fossils, and attached to fossil bones. It can also appear on the corpses of humans in proximity to iron – IE an iron coffin, due to a chemical reaction between the decomposition and the iron.

Vivianite has been used as a pigment since Roman times, and has been used in some famous oil paintings, including Vermeer’s The Procuress.

 

Vivianite was named by Abraham Gottlob Werner in 1817 after John Henry Vivian, an english politician, mine owner, and mineral collector who discovered the mineral.

The type locality for vivianite is Wheal Kine, St Agnes, Cornwall, UK.

Mineralogy

Chemistry
Various chemical formulas depending on the specific member of the group – Vivianite itself has the formula Fe2+3(PO4)2·8H2O.
Colours and Variations

Various, depending on the variant – vivianite itself tends to be a dark blue, dark green, blue-green or black colour.

Streak
Colourless to blue-white, and quickly turns a blue-brown.
Luster
Typically vitreous or pearly.
Transparency
Transparent to translucent
Fracture
Fibrous
Crystal habit
Mohs hardness
1.5 – 2.0
Fluorescence
Specific Gravity
2.68
Easiest testing method

Hazards and Warnings

Several members of the group contain arsenic.

Mineral collectors should wash their hands after handling specimens, to avoid any exposure to potential toxins.

Almost all rocks, minerals (and, frankly, almost all other substances on earth) can produce toxic dust when cutting, which can cause serious respiratory conditions including silicosis. When cutting or polishing rocks, minerals, shells, etc, all work should be done wet to minimise the dust, and a suitable respirator or extraction system should be used.

Translations

Arabic:

Hindi:

Portuguese:

  • vivianita

Bengali:

Indonesian:

Punjabi:

English:

  • vivianite

Italian:

Russian:

  • вивианит

French:

Japanese:

  • ビビアナイト

Spanish:

  • Vivianita

German:

  • Vivianit

Korean:

  • 비비아나이트

Thai:

Gujurati:

Mandarin Chinese:

  • 蓝铁矿

Urdu:

Further Reading / External Links