Description

Phosphosiderite is a relatively rare mineral first discovered in 1858.  It was named in 1890 after its main constituents which are phosphate and iron. The name phosphosiderite comes from ‘phospho’ (from phosphate) and ‘siderite’ from the Latin ‘sídēros’ meaning ‘iron’. This naturally occurring form of iron phosphate can only be found in a handful of locations worldwide.  Most phosphosiderite comes from Germany, USA, Portugal, Chile and Argentina. Although once known as metastrengite this name is now mostly obsolete. Crystals of phosphosiderite occur in shades of red and pink and tend to be extremely small.  This mineral occurs more widely with a massive or botryoidal crystal habit.  This stone is mainly used for lapidary purposes.