Vivianite Specimen 2

Description

Specimen of vivianite

Vivianite is a hydrated iron phosphate mineral found in a number of geological environments. Small amounts of manganese Mn²⁺, magnesium Mg²⁺, and calcium Ca²⁺ may substitute for iron Fe²⁺ in its structure. Pure vivianite is colourless, but the mineral oxidizes very easily, changing the colour, and it is usually found as deep blue to deep bluish green prismatic to flattened crystals. Vivianite crystals are often found inside fossil shells, such as those of bivalves and gastropods, or attached to fossil bone. Vivianite can also appear on the iron coffins or on the corpses of humans as a result of a chemical reaction of the decomposing body with the iron enclosure. This is why it is sometimes called ‘the crystal of death’.

Most vivianite on the market comes from the USA. The specimen you see is the one you’ll get.