


Fosterite: The Rare Phosphate Mineral from New Hampshire
Fosterite is a rare mineral, with the chemical formula Ca3(PO4)2. It is a phosphate mineral that was first discovered in 1961 in the Foster Mine, located in the state of New Hampshire, USA. It is named after its type locality.
Fosterite crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system and typically forms as small, tabular crystals or fibers. It is an uncommon mineral that is found in phosphate-rich hydrothermal veins and is often associated with other rare minerals such as gormanite and hammermanite.
Fosterite has a high refractive index and is transparent to translucent, with a vitreous luster. It is usually colorless or white, but can also be found in shades of yellow or orange due to impurities. It has a hardness of 3.5-4 on the Mohs scale and a density of around 2.8 g/cm3.
Fosterite is considered a rare mineral and is not well known outside of specialized mineralogical circles. However, it is an interesting mineral that can provide valuable insights into the geological processes that form phosphate deposits.



