What is Xanthoxenite?
Xanthoxenite is a delicate hydrated iron-calcium phosphate, usually pale yellow and associated with altered phosphate-rich pegmatites.
Mineralogy and structure
Reference formula: Ca4Fe3+2(PO4)4(OH)2·3H2O. Xanthoxenite is triclinic and commonly occurs as fine pale aggregates. No matching public COD coordinate entry was selected for this batch, so the guide intentionally has no artificial lattice. Xanthoxenite is classified with phosphates and has triclinic crystal symmetry. Typical hardness is 2–3 on the Mohs scale and specific gravity is approximately 2.9–3.1.
Colour, lustre and habit
Typical colours include pale yellow, lemon yellow, brownish yellow. The usual tabular, granular, crusty habit and waxy, dull lustre help describe a specimen, but colour alone is not diagnostic.
Formation and notable localities
Xanthoxenite forms in or is associated with secondary alteration of triphylite in complex zoned granitic pegmatites and phosphate cavities. Important documented localities include Hühnerkobel in Germany, the Palermo No. 1 Mine in New Hampshire, Brazil and other phosphate districts.
A fragile yellow phosphate from a pegmatite
Xanthoxenite is attractive as a reference specimen because its pale colour and alteration textures record the late chemistry of a phosphate pegmatite.
Collecting and care
Soft and hydrated: avoid soaking, acids, heat and abrasion; support crusts and retain pegmatite context.
