Rare Mineral Sturtite: Discovery, Properties, and Collectibility

Sturtite is a rare mineral, with the chemical formula Ca3(PO4)2. It was discovered in 1850 by Scottish geologist and mineralogist James Sturt, who found it in a limestone quarry near his home in Ayrshire, Scotland. The mineral is named after him.

Sturtite is a phosphate mineral that forms as a result of the alteration of other minerals, such as apatite or monazite, under high temperatures and pressures. It typically occurs in hydrothermal veins and pegmatites, and is often associated with other rare minerals such as allanite and brackebuschite.

Sturtite has a vitreous luster and a white or yellowish color. It is relatively soft, with a Mohs hardness of around 3.5 to 4.5. The crystal structure of sturtite is monoclinic, with a layered or tabular habit. It can be found in a variety of shapes, including prismatic crystals, pyramidal crystals, and radial aggregates.

Sturtite is considered a rare mineral, and it is not well known outside of specialized mineralogical circles. However, it is prized by collectors for its unique properties and its rarity, and it can be found in a few select locations around the world.