Purpurite (rare locality specimen) (ex Bill Wilson Collection)

Item Description

A very hard to find specimen of Purpurite from Maine of all places. Purpurite is a relatively rare manganese phosphate mineral, and while it's been reported from granitic pegmatite localities, you don't see anything from Maine on the market. The species gets its name from its purple color, and it forms as the result of oxidation of manganese that combines with the simultaneous leaching of lithium from Mica. Apparently in the 1990s, there was a small zone that was actually situated ABOVE the pegmatite at the B.B. #7 Quarry and there with Purpurite and other phosphates. This piece is a great representative example of these incredibly hard to find specimens featuring beautiful vivid purple patches of Purpurite on all sides of the specimen. A must have for any fan of minerals of Maine, pegmatite minerals or worldwide phosphates. From the collection of Bill Wilson (#101U).