How do I identify Perhamite?

Perhamite can be identified by its hardness of 5 on the Mohs scale, Colourless color. Look for these key characteristics when examining specimens.

What color is Perhamite?

Perhamite typically appears in Colourless, white, light brown, orange. Color can vary depending on impurities and formation conditions.

How hard is Perhamite?

Perhamite has a hardness of 5 on the Mohs scale. This gives it moderate hardness.

Perhamite

A variety of Minerals

What is Perhamite?

Perhamite is a phosphate mineral with the formula Ca3Al7(SiO4)3(PO4)4(OH)3·16.5(H2O). It occurs in rare isolated masses in amblygonite-rich pegmatite deposits throughout the world. It was discovered in platy sheed form of 1mm hexagonal crystals. It was first described in 1977 by P.J. Dunn and D.E. Appleman from pegmatite collected from Bell Pit, Newry, Maine. Other specimens have been found in Kapunda, South Australia, in Silver Coin mine near Humboldt County, Nevada and various locations throughout Europe.

Perhamite Market Value Calculator

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

Perhamite Localities Map

See where Perhamite 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

Characteristics of Perhamite

Perhamite can range in color from white to brown and can be translucent to opaque. Its luster is said to be earthy, but vitreous to pearly along fractures. It occurs as radial discoidal, platy hexagonal crystals, in rough spherules up to 1mm thick. The specific gravity of perhamite is measured at 2.64 with a calculated density of 2.53. It is structurally related to minerals in the crandallite subgroup, namely Iangreyite.

Composition of Perhamite

The formula Ca3Al7(SiO4)3(PO4)4(OH)3·16.5(H2O) was determined by measuring its composition with x-ray spectroscopy giving the average amounts of SiO2 to be 13.72%, Al2O3 to be 27.17%, CaO to be 12.81%, P2O5 to be 21.61%, leaving 24.69% to be determined as H2O. The formula's essential elements are Al, Ca, H, O, P and Si with trace amounts of Sr. Common impurities of perhamite include Ti, Fe, Mg, Na, and F.