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Senegalite
3 in the gallery
Senegalite is a rare aluminum phosphate hydroxide mineral that forms as gemmy to granular crystals in hydrothermal environments. It typically presents a pale to mid-green color and a vitreous to waxy luster, often occurring as intergrown aggregates or euhedral crystals in compact masses. The mineral crystallizes in low-temperature settings and is associated with phosphate-rich rock environments, sometimes found alongside other phosphate minerals in niche collectors’ samples.
- Formula
- Al2(PO4)(OH)3·3H2O
- Rarity
- Rare
- Stability
- Stable
- Collector interest
- Moderate Interest
- Classification notes
- Phosphate; hydrated aluminium phosphate hydroxide
Key characteristics
- Crystal system
- orthorhombic
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5
- Specific gravity
- 2.54–2.57
- Luster
- vitreous
- Transparency
- transparent, translucent
- Color
- colorless, white, yellow
- Streak
- white
- Cleavage
- perfect
- Fracture
- uneven
- Crystal habit
- prismatic, acicular, radiating, granular
About Senegalite
Significant specimens have come from Senegal, where the mineral has been described from limited localities and collected by mineral enthusiasts seeking unusual phosphate minerals. The interest in Senegalite stems from its rarity and the striking color and habit it can exhibit in carefully prepared splits or matrix samples. For collectors, Senegalite offers a window into unique mineral assemblages and local geological histories, rewarding careful handling and display alongside similar phosphate minerals and rare aluminous phases.
