Muséum national d'histoire naturelle _ The species

FROM : Bou Azzer, Morocco
SIZE : 14 x 6.5 cm

The crystals of erythrite are violet, transparent and gemmeous in some spots. Most of them are terminated. Some crystals of roselite (an another pale pink mineral of cobalt) might be present. The sample measures 14 x 6.5 cm; the crystals of erythrite are numerous and have an average lenght of 1 cm.

This sample iof erythrite was discovered in the mineral deposit of Bou Azzer in Morocco. Professor Jean Orcel registered it in the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle in 1952.

It is kept in the storage rooms of the collections of the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle (i.e., not yet displayed to the public).

Photography: Louis-Dominique Bayle, © MNHN.

SPECIE : Erythrite

HISTORY : Name inspired by the Greek word "ερυθροσ" [erythros] meaning red, name given in reference to its colour

First described in 1832 par François-Sulpice Beudant (1787-1850), French mineralogist

Type-locality : Mines of the Challanches, Allemont, Isère and Richelse, Hesse-Nassau, Germany
ANCIENT NAME : Mine de cobalt en efflorescence, fleur de cobalt

CHEMICAL FORMULA : Co3 (AsO4)2 8H2O
CRYSTAL SYSTEM : Monoclinic
COLOR : Pink, red, pale pink, violet
DIAPHANIETY : Transparent to translucent
LUSTER : Adamantine, pearly
STREAK : Rose to pale red
MORPHOLOGY : Seldmoly well crystallised. Elongated crystals, prismatic and striated, forming aggregates, massive, fibrous
HARDNESS : 1,5-2,5
DENSITY : 3,135

CHEMICAL CLASS : VII - Phosphates, arsenat
GROUP : Vivianite
STRUNZ CLASS BEFORE 2001 : 7/C.13-70
STRUNZ CLASS AFTER 2001 : 8.CE.40

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Erythrite

Erythrite

MNHN N°152.121

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