Childrenite is a relatively rare hydrated iron-manganese-aluminium phosphate which forms orthorhombic crystals, typically short and stubby, yet can be elongated tending more to acicular. This excellent miniature is from the lha claim, Taquaral in the Jequitinhonha valley of Minas Gerais, Brazil and forms a rich bed of stubby cinnamon to caramel brown Childrenite crystals covering the top surface of a translucent, light grey massive Quart matrix. Childrenite, often considered an unusual name, was named for John George Children (1777-1852) of Kent, England. A chemist and mineralogist, he was appointed Keeper of Minerals at the British Museum of Natural History, London.
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