mantelide

Mantelide is a rare and complex mineral that belongs to the group of phosphates. It was first discovered in 1971 in the Mantell mine, near the town of Mantell, in the Northern Territory of Australia. The mineral is named after this location. Mantelide is characterized by its unique crystal structure and its distinctive chemical composition, which includes lead, calcium, phosphorus, oxygen, and hydrogen. Its chemical formula is PbCa(PO4)2(OH)2.

The mineral typically forms as a secondary mineral in the oxidation zone of lead deposits, often associated with other phosphate minerals such as mimetite and pyromorphite. Mantelide crystals are usually small and prismatic, often found in radiating or divergent aggregates. They are usually colorless or white, but can also exhibit shades of yellow, brown, or gray due to impurities.

Mantelide is of limited interest to collectors and mineralogists due to its rarity and the challenging conditions under which it forms. Despite its rarity, it provides valuable insights into the geochemical processes that occur in the oxidation zones of lead deposits. The study of mantelide contributes to the understanding of the formation and alteration of phosphate minerals in these environments.