Stunning Cacoxenite Crystals
![]() |
Stunning Cacoxenite Crystals. From: La Paloma Mine, Zarza la Mayor, Cáceres, Extremadura, Spain. Photo: Rewitzer Christian |
Cacoxenite
Formula: Fe3+24Al(PO4)17O6(OH)12·17(H2O)
System: Hexagonal
Colour: Yellow to brownish ...
Hardness: 3 - 4
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.
Often times, it forms as fuzzy brownish yellow, brown, yellow, or gold
radiated tufts or strands. It may also appear as reddish orange or
greenish yellow. The cacoxenite is occasionally referred to cacoxene or
cacoxitite.