Heterosite
Heterosite is a rare mineral of the „phosphates, arsenates and vanadates“ class.
Member of the triphylite group. Forms a solid solution series [see isomorphous replacement] with purpurite.
Two views of a heterosite from Straussheim 1 Pegmatit, Kenhardt, Kai !Garib, ZF Mgcawu Districe, North Cape, South Africa
Origin of name: the mineral was first discovered in Les Hureaux, Saint-Sylvestre, Limoges, Haute-Vienne, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France and first described in 1825 by French mineralogist and geologist François Alluaud (1778–1866), who named the mineral after the Greek word ἕτερος [heteros] for „other“ or "second". Alluaud did not give any explanation for the choice of name but since at the same time he also described another new mineral, aptly called hureaulite after the place of discovery, it may be assumed that he chose the name heterosite in allusion to either the different (other) chemical composition or to the fact that it was the second new mineral to be discovers at this locality.
Synonyms and trade names: ferripurpurite, neopurpurite, melanchlore, pseudotriplite
Can be confused with: above all others with purpurite, with which heterosite forms a solid solution series. Also with other similarly coloured minerals like fluorite, apatite, dumortierite, iolite or sugilite
Localities: besides the type locality, Les Hureaux, heterosite is found in some other places in France. Other localities are Australia, Angola, Madagascar, Marocco, Namibia, Ruanda, South Africa, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Finland, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Spain, the Czech Republic, Kazakhstan , South Korea and the USA.
Heterosite has also been found in Germany Siwtzerland and Austria.
Handling: due to relatively low hardness, good cleavage and sensitivity to acids and brines, heterosite is of only limited use in jewellery. No electroplating, no ultrasonic cleaning!
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