Phosphosiderite is a rare, soft iron phosphate in pink to purple, usually cut as a cabochon for collectors. It is natural, not dyed. We do not carry it.
Phosphate (iron phosphate)
Phosphosiderite
Fosfosiderita
- Palette
- Purple Pink Red
- Mined in
- Chile, Argentina, Germany, Portugal, United States
- Hardness
- Mohs 3.5–4.0 ?
- See-through
- translucent
- Known since
- 1890
- Named for
- phosphate plus Greek sideros, iron, for its makeup
- Intention
- Love
- Looking for
- Love
- Water
- Keep it dry; wipe with a soft cloth
- Dye or finish
- Phosphosiderite is sold natural; the bead trade lists it as natural, with nothing done to it.
Not in our pieces now
1890
Phosphosiderite was published as a species in 1890; it is an iron phosphate, FePO4 with two waters.
CACOXENITE
The yellow veins that streak orchid-purple phosphosiderite are a separate mineral called cacoxenite.
3.5 TO 4
Phosphosiderite rates 3.5 to 4 on the Mohs scale and is the dimorph of strengite, with the same formula but a different crystal structure.
What it is
A soft, glassy stone in orchid purple to pink or rose red, often with yellow veins, nearly always cut as a cabochon. A natural mineral, not glass or dye, rare in jewelry because it is fragile.
Where it comes from
Phosphosiderite is known from Chile, Argentina, Germany, Portugal and the United States, including its first-found site near Siegen, Germany.
What's said about it
It has no old tradition that we found. Some crystal shops tie the pink-purple color to love, but we have not confirmed that, so take it as a retail habit.
It scratches and chips easily, so people keep it in a pocket or on a pendant.
How people wear or keep it: In a pocket, as a pendant, or in a soft pouch.
In crystal practice
In the crystal tradition, phosphosiderite is paired with the root and solar plexus and heart chakras, so practitioners rest it there during meditation or lie down with it in place for a few quiet minutes. Day to day, the same tradition suggests keeping it close: in a pocket, as a pendant, in a soft pouch. People reach for it when they want love, and many set an intention when they put it on. Most practitioners cleanse a new stone first (running water only if the stone can take it, otherwise smoke or moonlight) and set it aside now and then to rest.
These are beliefs people have held and still hold about the stone, reported as such. Nothing here is a promise or a medical claim. We sell stones as jewelry, not for these effects.
Associations
The chakra and star sign this stone is usually matched with. These are popular traditions, not facts about the stone.
ChakraRoot, Solar Plexus, Heart
ZodiacAquarius, Aries, Libra
ElementFire
Care
- Soft (Mohs 3.5 to 4) with cleavage, so it scratches and chips easily. Store it alone in a soft pouch.
- Wipe with a soft dry or barely damp cloth; do not soak.
- Skip ultrasonic and steam cleaners and keep it from heat, acids and hand sanitizer.
- Take it off for washing, exercise and sleep.
- Best as a pendant or a pocket stone rather than a daily bracelet.
How to tell what you have
- It is a pink to orchid-purple stone, often with yellow or brown veins, and it is soft (hardness 3.5).
- Dye would show as color pooling in cracks and the drill hole; natural color is uneven with the yellow veining.
- Keep it away from water, heat, ultrasonic cleaners, and harsh cleaners.
Questions people ask at our table
What is phosphosiderite?
A soft iron phosphate mineral with water in its structure, found in purple and pink. It is cut as cabochons for collectors.
Is the color natural?
Yes, the pink and purple are the mineral's own. Yellow veins are common.
Is it tough enough for a bracelet?
No. At Mohs 3.5 to 4 with cleavage it scratches and chips easily, so pendants and pocket stones suit it better.
How can I tell it from purpurite or sugilite?
All three are purple and rare, but phosphosiderite is softer than both (3.5 to 4 against about 4 to 4.5 for purpurite and 5 to 6.5 for sugilite). A dealer or lab ID is the safe check.
Do you carry phosphosiderite?
No. The nearest pink and purple stones we carry are lepidolite, amethyst and pink aventurine.
Not in our pieces right now
Stones we do carry that are close to it are listed under related stones.
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