Waterhouseite
A variety of Minerals
What is Waterhouseite?
Waterhouseite, Mn7(PO4)2(OH)8, is a hydroxy manganese phosphate mineral. It is a medium-soft, brittle mineral occurring in pseudo-orthorhombic monoclinic bladed crystals and orange-brown to dark brown in color. Waterhouseite is on the softer side with a Mohs hardness of 4, has a specific gravity of 3.5 and a yellowish-brown streak. It is named after Frederick George Waterhouse, first director of the South Australian Museum, as well as recognizes the work Waterhouse Club has done in support of the South Australian Museum.
Market Value Factors
Pricing varies for every rock and mineral, so use these universal factors to gauge Waterhouseite before comparing listings or appraisals.
Size & Weight
Larger, intact specimens usually command higher prices.
Rarity & Demand
Scarce material or popular varieties sell at a premium.
Condition & Finish
Chips, repairs, and heavy wear lower value; clean prep helps.
Treatment & Provenance
Untreated specimens with documented locality are prized.
Waterhouseite Localities Map
See where Waterhouseite is found with a localities map, collecting zones, and geology context. Generate a sample map preview below.
Key Characteristics
Formation of Waterhouseite
Waterhouseite occurs in divergent sprays of bladed crystals up to 1mm in length and 20 micrometers in thickness. It is found in South Australia, specifically in the Iron Monarch mine, Iron Knob, Middleback Range, Eyre Peninsula, South Australia. Waterhouseite is generally found in a carbonate rich cavities with other minerals such as gatehouseite, seamanite, rhodochrosite, shigaite, baryte, hausmannite and hematite.
Composition of Waterhouseite
Waterhouseite has a unique asymmetrical structure consisting of a dense, complex framework of Mn(O, OH)6 octahedra and PO4 tetrahedra which are linked by both edges and corners. It is highly unusual for the PO4 tetrahedron to share two of its edges with the Mn(O, OH)6 octahedral. There are only two other known arsenates that have the same edge sharing as waterhouseite.
Quick Facts
Physical Properties
- Color
- Orange-brown to dark brown
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 4
- Density
- 3.591 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellowish brown
Chemical Properties
- Chemical Formula
- Mn2+7(PO4)2(OH)8
- Elements
- H, Mn, O, P
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Waterhouseite FAQs
How do I identify Waterhouseite?
Waterhouseite can be identified by its hardness of 4 on the Mohs scale, Orange-brown to dark brown color. Look for these key characteristics when examining specimens.
What color is Waterhouseite?
Waterhouseite typically appears in Orange-brown to dark brown. Color can vary depending on impurities and formation conditions.
How hard is Waterhouseite?
Waterhouseite has a hardness of 4 on the Mohs scale. This gives it moderate hardness.
What is the formation of waterhouseite of Waterhouseite?
Waterhouseite occurs in divergent sprays of bladed crystals up to 1mm in length and 20 micrometers in thickness. It is found in South Australia, specifically in the Iron Monarch mine, Iron Knob, Middleback Range, Eyre Peninsula, South Australia. Waterhouseite is generally found in a carbonate rich cavities with other minerals such as gatehouseite, seamanite, rhodochrosite, shigaite, baryte, hausmannite and hematite.
What is the composition of waterhouseite of Waterhouseite?
Waterhouseite has a unique asymmetrical structure consisting of a dense, complex framework of Mn(O, OH)6 octahedra and PO4 tetrahedra which are linked by both edges and corners. It is highly unusual for the PO4 tetrahedron to share two of its edges with the Mn(O, OH)6 octahedral. There are only two other known arsenates that have the same edge sharing as waterhouseite.
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