WGNHS
Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey

Triphylite

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Bluish-green mass of cleavable triphylite. Dan Patch pegmatite, Keystone, South Dakota. Sample is about 6 cm. across in longest dimension. <em>(Photo by W. Cordua.)</em>
Bluish-green mass of cleavable triphylite. Dan Patch pegmatite, Keystone, South Dakota. Sample is about 6 cm. across in longest dimension. (Photo by W. Cordua.)

Formula: LiFePO4 Orthorhombic

Description:Triphylite forms bluish-green massive material in complex granitic pegmatites. It is often found with many other rare phosphates. Triphylite readily alters to earthy iron oxides and other iron phosphates.

FLORENCE COUNTY: Occurs as nodules up to 2 cm. in diameter in the complex pegmatite dikes in sec. 22 and sec. 29 T.39N. R.17E. near Fern. The triphylite occurs with heterosite-purpurite, columbite-tantalite, beryl, elbaite, albite, muscovite, microcline, quartz and rarer phosphate minerals. (Steve Koehler, 1989)