Metaswitzerite Locality: Hagendorf South Pegmatite (Cornelia Mine; Hagendorf South Open Cut), Hagendorf , Waidhaus , Vohenstrauß , Oberpfälzer Wald , Upper Palatinate , Bavaria , Germany ( Locality at mindat.org ) Picture width 1,5 mm. Collection and photo Christian Rewitzer — Photo: Christian Rewitzer · CC BY-SA 3.0
Metaswitzerite
Metaswitzerite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the phosphate class, with the chemical formula Mn²⁺₃(PO₄)₂·4H₂O.
It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system (space group P2_1/c).
Key properties: Mohs hardness 2.5; specific gravity 3.18; Adamantine to pearly luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Msw, IMA status: approved, named in 1967.
Forms by irreversible dehydration of switzerite on exposure to air.
It is found associated with Switzerite, vivianite.
Emphasizes the close chemical and structural relations to switzerite.