Natural Triplite

Triplite is a rare fluoro-hydroxide phosphate mineral that forms in phosphate rich granitic pegmatites and high temperature hydrothermal veins. With formula (Mn,Fe2+)2(PO4)(F,OH), calcium and magnesium commonly substitute in the divalent cation site. In color and appearance, it is very similar to rhodocrosite, another manganese bearing mineral. Chemically, it is also quite similar to triploidite the difference being that triplite is F dominant while triploidite is OH dominant. Triplite was first described in 1813 for an occurrence in Chanteloube, Limousin, France. The name is from the Greek triplos for triple, in reference to the three cleavage directions.

Triplite Profile

Color information:	brightly coloured (brown, salmon, flesh-red)
Refractive Index:	1.650 - 1.680
Chemical Composition:	(Mn,Fe2+)2(PO4)(F,OH)
Hardness:	5 - 5.5
Density:	3.44 - 3.90
Crystal Group:	Monoclinic
Ocurrence:	the Shigar Valley, Pakistan; China; France, Bavaria, Germany; Kimito, Finland; Karibib, Namibia; Maine, and Connecticut, Arizona and Colorado in the United States.
Sign of the Zodiac:	N/A
Month of the year:	N/A

Triplite is quite rare and difficult to facet do to its brittleness and cleavage. Only a few cut stones have been reported and all of them are from the Shigar Valley in Pakistan. One specimen from Dudley Blauwet was loaned to the GIA for examination. General absorption to 450nm, weak absorption bands at 470nm and 490nm and a stronger band at 520 – 620nm were observed with a desk model spectroscope. Microscopic inspection revealed finger print type and two phase inclusions.

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