ERNSTITE

SPECIMEN DESCRIPTION

There is some debate over the validity of Ernstite as an individual species as its chemistry and structure overlaps with Eosphorite and Childrenite, but with ferric rather than ferrous iron. This is in part why it was originally described as an oxidation product on Eosphorite. Having been described as a new species in 1970, it remains an officially accepted phosphate species, but a reassessment has been recommended. Visually, Ernstite is opaque and darker coloured than either Eosphorite or Childrenite supporting the oxidation theory, but these crystals from Laranjeira at Taquaral in Jequitinhonha Valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil are really large. They form dark brown blades reaching over 4 cm in length. From the superb systematic collection assembled by the brothers Martin and Michael Günther (1951-2007 & 1956-2021).