Login
  • Learn
  • About Us
    • iRocks History
    • Natural Art
    • What is the Arkenstone?
    • Affiliated Sites
    • Locations
      • Dallas Gallery
      • China Exhibits
    • Services
      • Collection Consulting Services
      • Lucite Bases
      • Fine Mineral Photography
    • Staff Bios
  • Events
    • Shows
    • Dallas Mineral Collecting Symposium
    • Auctions
    • Exhibits
  • Minerals in the Media
    • Recommended Reading
    • Arkenstone Publications
    • News Articles
    • Video Clips
    • Arkenstone Covers
    • Minerals for Kids
  • The Wisdom Pocket Blog
  • Contact
  • Shop
  • New Galleries
  • Themed Galleries
  • The Vault
  • Order Specimens
  • Mineral Auctions
  • SALE
  • Login
  • Advanced Search

Purpurite

Purpurite is a manganese iron phosphate, and a member of the Triphylite Group. It was named in 1905 by Louis C. Graton and Waldemar T. Schaller from the Latin, "purpura" in reference to its color. Purpurite forms orthorhombic, cleavable, blocky masses which are brown-black to purple-black on altered surfaces, with a silky luster. Purpurite is the trivalent manganese end member in the Heterosite-Purpurite Series. Purpurite is a secondary mineral, formed by oxidation of iron and or manganese and simultaneous leaching of lithium from lithiophilite. Purpurite is far less common than heterosite, and is frequently artificially colored bright purple through acid etching. The type locality for purpurite is: Faires Tin mine, Kings Mountain, Gaston Co., North Carolina, USA. Other notable localities include: Branchville, Fairfield Co., Connecticut, USA; Custer district, Custer Co., South Dakota, USA; Stewart mine and Tincon pegmatite, Pala district, San Diego Co. California, USA; Chanteloube, Haute-Vienne dept., France; Kitumba, Rwanda, and Sandamab, and Erongo, both Namibia; Wodgina, Marble Bar, Western Australia, Australia.

You can buy these rare bright purple crystals online from The Arkenstone, www.iRocks.com to add fine mineral specimens to your collection.

Purpurite Ps. After Triphyllite
RNOW-388
Purpurite Ps. After Triphyllite
Cabinet, 12.0 x 10.0 x 10.0 cm
Pack Rat Mine, McCain Valley, San Diego County, California
(2 more images)
SOLD
Details
Purpurite, Tantalite
MD-213095
Purpurite, Tantalite
Miniature, 4.6 x 4.1 x 2.4 cm
Pack Rat Mine, Mt. Tule, Jacumba District, San Diego Co., California, USA
SOLD
Details
Purpurite
MD-120161
Purpurite
Small Cabinet, 8.7 x 5.4 x 3.8 cm
Pack Rat Mine, Mt. Tule, Jacumba District, San Diego Co., California, USA
SOLD
Details
Purpurite
MD-224114
Purpurite
Cabinet, 10.5 x 6.2 x 2.8 cm
Sandamab pegmatite (Sandamap pegmatite), Usakos, Karibib District, Erongo Region, Namibia
SOLD
Details
Purpurite
MD-137452
Purpurite
Small Cabinet, 5.4 x 4.6 x 1.9 cm
Sandamab pegmatite (Sandamap pegmatite), Usakos, Karibib District, Erongo Region, Namibia
SOLD
Details
Purpurite and Mitridatite
CK76
Purpurite and Mitridatite
Small Cabinet, 7.1 x 6.7 x 2.5 cm
Pack Rat Mine, Jacumba, San Diego Co., California, USA
(1 more images)
SOLD
Details
SEE OUR UPCOMING SHOWS
Featured in The Wisdom Pocket Blog
History of Specimen Mining at Hardangervidda, Norway
Little Wonders: Connoisseur Thumbnails in the Contemporary Collector Market
The Jack Halpern Collection
F. John Barlow Collection: A Modern Mineral Connoisseur
The Miguel Romero Collection of Mexican Minerals
Rare Chalcopyrite Balls from Daye, China
Tourmaline: Most Colorful in the World?
10 Facts You Didn’t Know About Gold, Part 1
The New Arkenstone Gallery
Tips for Buying Rare Rocks and Minerals Online
SHOP
  • New Galleries
  • Themed Galleries
  • The Vault
  • Order Specimens
LEARN
  • About Us
  • Events
  • Minerals in the Media
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Wisdom Pocket Blog
CONTACT US
  • PO Box 830460 - Richardson, TX - 75083
  • (972) 437-2492
  • info@iRocks.com
COPYRIGHT NOTICE - Please note that any images, photos, or text (unless otherwise stated) are property of The Arkenstone, iRocks.com, and cannot be used without our permission. Having said that, we're quite happy to work with media, educators, and other organizations to provide images. Please e-mail us at info@iRocks.com with a link where you found the image you wish to use and your intended purpose for the image.