Outstanding sharp crystals of the rare borate mineral ericaite from Alto Chapare District, Cochabamba Department, Bolivia. — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY-SA 4.0
Ericaite
Ericaite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the halide class, with the chemical formula Fe²⁺₃B₇O₁₃Cl.
It crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system (space group Pca2_1). It is a member of the Boracite structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 7–7.5; specific gravity 3.17–3.22; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Eic, grandfathered status — known before the IMA’s founding, named in 1950.
An uncommon constituent of marine evaporite deposits.
It is found associated with Halite, sylvite, anhydrite, kieserite (Germany); danburite, boracite (Alto Chapare, Bolivia).
The name refers to the typical purple color, characteristic of the heather genus Erica.