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Xanthoxenite
A rare earthy-yellow calcium-iron phosphate forming crusts and laths.
Intro adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
Xanthoxenite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the phosphate class, with the chemical formula Ca₄Fe³⁺₂(PO₄)₄(OH)₂·3H₂O.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 2.5; specific gravity 2.97; Dull to slightly waxy luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Xox, IMA status: approved, named in 1920.
An uncommon alteration product of triphylite in complex zoned granite pegmatites.
It is found associated with Apatite, whitlockite, childrenite–eosphorite, laueite, strunzite, stewartite, mitridatite, amblygonite, siderite.
Its name comes from the Greek for yellow and supposed chemical resemblance to cacoxenite.