Gordonite , Wardite Locality: Rapid Creek , Dawson Mining District, Yukon Territory , Canada ( Locality at mindat.org ) Size: miniature, 5.6 x 3.7 x 1.1 cm Wardite with Gordonite This is NOT one of the new wardites, but rather a more typical one in here both because it is unusually good as well for what it is, and to contrast the typical coloration to the new ones. These are SUPER-SHARP and LUSTROUS , and its really uncommon to get so many good crystals on matrix like this, and in good condition. The small yellow specks are actually eye-visible crystals of the rare species Gordonite and actually this piece is about the richest you can hope to get of that species...it richly covers the front and back, both. — Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0
Gordonite
Gordonite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the phosphate class, with the chemical formula MgAl₂(PO₄)₂(OH)₂·8H₂O.
It crystallizes in the triclinic crystal system (space group P-1). It is a member of the Laueite structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 3.5; specific gravity 2.23; White streak; Vitreous, pearly on {010} luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Gdo, grandfathered status — known before the IMA’s founding, named in 1930.
Rare in variscite-rich phosphate nodules in limestones ([Little Green Monster mine, near] Fairfield, Utah, USA); a late-stage hydrothermal mineral in a complex granite pegmatite (Tip Top mine, South Dakota, USA).
It is found associated with Variscite, crandallite, wardite ([Little Green Monster mine, near] Fairfield, Utah, USA); robertsite, collinsite (Tip Top mine, South Dakota, USA).
The mineral was named to honor Samuel George Gordon (1897–1953), American mineralogist, Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.