Stunning Cacoxenite Crystals From Spain

Photo: Honorio Cocera-La Parra

Cacoxenite

Formula: Fe³⁺₂₄Al(PO₄)₁₇O₆(OH) ₁₂· 17(H₂O)

System: Hexagonal
Colour: Yellow to brownish ...
Hardness: 3 – 4

From: Benetusser, Valencia, Spain 

It was first described in 1825 for an occurrence in the Hrbek Mine, Bohemia, Czech Republic. It occurs as a secondary phase in oxidized magnetite and limonite deposits. It also occurs in novaculites and in iron and phosphorus rich sediments.