mustreite

Mustreite is a rare mineral belonging to the phosphate group. It is a hydrated manganese phosphate with the chemical formula Mn3(PO4)2 · 3H2O. Mustreite was first discovered in the Låtta pegmatite in Norway. Its name honors the Norwegian mineralogist P. Mustre. Crystals of mustreite are typically small, acicular, and often found in aggregates. The color of mustreite ranges from pale pink to reddish-brown. It is a translucent mineral with a vitreous luster. Mustreite is relatively soft, with a Mohs hardness of approximately 3.5. It is also a somewhat heavy mineral, with a specific gravity around 2.8. It is generally found in pegmatite and hydrothermal vein deposits, often associated with other manganese-bearing minerals. Due to its rarity, mustreite is not a commercially significant mineral but is of interest to mineral collectors and researchers studying manganese geochemistry. The mineral is known to be soluble in acids. Its crystal structure is monoclinic. While not widely distributed, occurrences have been reported from several locations globally, though the Låtta pegmatite remains the type locality.