svanbergite

Svanbergite is a rare phosphate mineral with the chemical formula SrAl3(PO4)2(OH)5. It is a member of the alunite supergroup. Svanbergite typically occurs as small, prismatic crystals, often found in association with other rare earth phosphate minerals. Its color can range from colorless to pale yellow or white.

The mineral was first described in 1952 from a discovery in the Hånnåsen mine in Sweden. The type locality is the Hånnåsen mine, which is known for its occurrences of unusual mineral assemblages. Svanbergite has since been found in other locations worldwide, often in pegmatites and hydrothermal vein deposits.

Notable occurrences include localities in the United States, particularly in South Dakota and Colorado, as well as in Russia and Namibia. The formation of svanbergite is generally linked to hydrothermal alteration processes in granitic or related igneous rocks.

The strontium and aluminum content, along with the phosphate and hydroxyl groups, define its unique chemical structure. Spectroscopic studies have helped to characterize its properties and distinguish it from other similar minerals. Svanbergite is not a significant ore mineral, but its rarity and association with other interesting mineral species make it of interest to mineral collectors and geologists studying mineral formation processes.