Richellite (rare phosphate - Type Locality) John White Coll.

Item Description

Richellite is an ultra rare calcium, iron phosphate and occurs as a secondary (?) mineral in phosphatic sedimentary rocks. It has questionable/doubtful status as a mineral species, according to the IMA. It is probably a former gel with variable chemical composition. That being said, this very rich specimen is from the Type Locality in Belgium. The brick-red to reddish-brown, amorphous, waxy material coats one face of clay matrix. Not pretty to look at, but this is an extremely rare, rich and highly representative example of the very unusual species (?). Ex John White Collection of Seattle.