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Erythrite
Erythrite is arsenate (vivianite group), Co₃(AsO₄)₂·8H₂O. In the hand, it rates 1.5 to 2.5 on the Mohs scale, and it runs crimson-magenta and violet-pink. Vivid magenta-crimson bladed sprays and crusts blooming on gray ore, the unmistakable pink signal of cobalt below. Oxidized cobalt veins: Bou Azzer (Morocco, world classic), Schneeberg (Germany), Cobalt (Ontario, Canada).
The geology.
Erythrite carries the formula Co₃(AsO₄)₂·8H₂O. It belongs to the monoclinic system. It is classified as arsenate (vivianite group).
It sits at 1.5 to 2.5 on the Mohs scale. The surface reads pearly to vitreous; earthy crusts. Light behaviour is transparent to translucent. Specific gravity runs 3.0 to 3.1. The streak is pale red to pink. It breaks with perfect cleavage; soft bladed sprays.
Vivid magenta-crimson bladed sprays and crusts blooming on gray ore, the unmistakable pink signal of cobalt below.
You will most often meet it as radiating bladed sprays, velvety crusts on ore or powdery blooms.
The origins.
Oxidized cobalt veins: Bou Azzer (Morocco, world classic), Schneeberg (Germany), Cobalt (Ontario, Canada).
On value, the database notes: collector mineral; rich Moroccan sprays are prized.
Traditional associations.
In energy work traditions, erythrite has little established lore; its magenta is occasionally linked to heart-courage themes.
People buy on this language, so it belongs on the page. It belongs under the facts, though, not over them.
Spotting the real thing.
Vivid magenta-crimson bladed sprays and crusts blooming on gray ore, the unmistakable pink signal of cobalt below.
| Looks like | How to tell them apart |
|---|---|
| Cobalt calcite | Cobaltoan calcite is harder, fizzes, and forms rhombic druzy; erythrite is softer bladed sprays |
| Annabergite | Its nickel twin is apple-green, same family, different metal |
| Rhodochrosite | Banded pink carbonate, heavier and fizzes warm |
At-home tests.
You can run every one of these at a kitchen table. Good light matters more than gear when you are looking at erythrite.
| Test | What you should see |
|---|---|
| By eye | Magenta color with pale pink streak |
| Scratch check | Very soft (fingernail to knife) |
| By eye | Bladed radiating habit on ore matrix |
Destructive tests belong to a gemologist, not a kitchen table. If a piece matters to you, pay for an appraisal before you take a file to it.
Care & handling.
At 1.5 to 2.5 on the Mohs scale this is a soft material. Keep it as a display piece, store it apart from harder stones, and skip daily-wear settings.
It breaks with perfect cleavage; soft bladed sprays, which is worth knowing before you set it or drop it.
Clean it by hand, dry it properly, and keep it away from ultrasonic cleaners and hot steam.
Cobalt arsenate, display only: wash hands after handling, never powder it, keep from children.
A deeper look.
Extended detail on composition, sourcing, authentication and market value.
The physical record
The formula on record is Co₃(AsO₄)₂·8H₂O. Crystal system: Monoclinic. Specific gravity: 3.0 to 3.1. Streak: Pale red to pink. Cleavage and fracture: Perfect cleavage; soft bladed sprays.
How it reaches the market
Oxidized cobalt veins: Bou Azzer (Morocco, world classic), Schneeberg (Germany), Cobalt (Ontario, Canada).
What it gets confused with
Cobalt calcite: Cobaltoan calcite is harder, fizzes, and forms rhombic druzy; erythrite is softer bladed sprays. Annabergite: Its nickel twin is apple-green, same family, different metal. Rhodochrosite: Banded pink carbonate, heavier and fizzes warm.
What it is worth
Collector mineral; rich Moroccan sprays are prized.
One more thing
Medieval miners cursed 'kobold ore' that burned arsenic fumes instead of yielding silver, erythrite's pink marked the goblin's lair and named cobalt itself.
An education-first guide.
We do not stock erythrite. Writing it up regardless is the point of a reference library.
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