How do I identify Bobfergusonite?

Bobfergusonite can be identified by its hardness of 4 on the Mohs scale, Green-brown to red-brown color. Look for these key characteristics when examining specimens.

What color is Bobfergusonite?

Bobfergusonite typically appears in Green-brown to red-brown. Color can vary depending on impurities and formation conditions.

How hard is Bobfergusonite?

Bobfergusonite has a hardness of 4 on the Mohs scale. This gives it moderate hardness.

Bobfergusonite

A variety of Minerals

What is Bobfergusonite?

Bobfergusonite occurs as equant anhedral single crystals up to 1 cm (0.39 in) in size or as nodular aggregates of few crystals. The mineral varies in color from green-brown to red-brown. Thin fragments of bobfergusonite are transparent. Bobfergusonite has been found in association with alluaudite, apatite, beusite, fillowite, and triplite. Bobfergusonite is a primary mineral that occurs in the intermediate zone of manganese and fluorine enriched granitic pegmatites.

Bobfergusonite Market Value Calculator

Estimate the market value of Bobfergusonite using size, quality, and finish. This preview calculator is for quick context and is not a formal appraisal.

Bobfergusonite Localities Map

See where Bobfergusonite is found with a localities map, collecting zones, and geology context. Generate a sample map preview below.

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North ZoneCentral RidgeSouth Basin

Key Characteristics

Composition of Bobfergusonite

Bobfergusonite has a layered crystal structure topologically identical to that of alluaudite and wyllieite but with differences in the ordering of metal cations. The two types of layer alternate along Y. One layer consists of chains of metal cation octahedra cross-linked by phosphate tetrahedra. Within the chains metal cations are ordered M–M in a similar fashion to wyllieite. However, the structure of bobfergusonite is distinct by the presence of Al and Fe ordering between chains. The other layer, identical to its wyllieite counterpart, consists of chains running parallel to X: one consisting of alternating, face-sharing sodium and manganese polyhedra and the other edge-sharing sodium polyhedra. These chains are not cross-linked but bind the other layers together.