Mineral Guide · Mineral

Hureaulite

Hureaulite is a hydrated manganese phosphate, usually pink to peach and associated with altered phosphate-rich granite pegmatites.

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Crystal structure

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Mineral properties

Formula: Mn₅(H₂O)₄[PO₃(OH)]₂[PO₄]₂
Class: Phosphates
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Typical colours: brown, pink, orange, peach
Lustre: Pearly, Vitreous
Hardness: 3.00-3.50
Specific gravity: 2.80-3.00
Crystal habit: Prismatic, Radiating, Tabular
Origin: phosphate-rich granite pegmatites and their late-stage alteration zones

What is Hureaulite?

Hureaulite is a hydrated manganese phosphate, usually pink to peach and associated with altered phosphate-rich granite pegmatites.

Mineralogy and structure

Reference formula: Mn₅(H₂O)₄[PO₃(OH)]₂[PO₄]₂. Hureaulite has a hydrated monoclinic phosphate structure and commonly forms as coatings or radiating aggregates. Manganese oxidation and dehydration can change its surface colour. Hureaulite belongs to the phosphates and has a monoclinic crystal system. Typical hardness is 3–3.5 on the Mohs scale and specific gravity is approximately 2.8–3.0.

Colour and appearance

Typical colours include pink, peach, orange, brown. The usual prismatic, tabular, radiating habit and vitreous, pearly lustre are useful descriptive features, but colour alone is not diagnostic.

Formation and localities

Hureaulite forms in or is associated with phosphate-rich granite pegmatites and their late-stage alteration zones. Important documented localities include France, Brazil, Portugal, the United States, Sweden and Australia.

Collecting and care

Keep dry and protected from impact; avoid washing or heating delicate phosphate aggregates.

Sources and editorial review

Reviewed by NotOnlyRocks Editorial Team

Last reviewed: 31 August 2026

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