Vivianita
Vivianita is a mineral with formula Fe²⁺₃(PO₄)₂·8H₂O, in the Fosfatos group. This specimen comes from Stan Terg Mine (Stari Trg), Trepča Complex, Mitrovica, Mitrovica District, Kosovo and joined the Terrium collection in 1970.
Description
Stepped platy habit, with very pronounced cleavage and a pseudo-cubic pattern reminiscent of galena growths, unusual in vivianite. Internal blue-green transparent zones visible in transmitted light.
History of this specimen
This specimen, with more than half a century behind it, comes with its documented provenance and the original historic label. During shipment to Spain in 2026 it suffered a clean fracture in transit. The seller, Dr Alexander Matthies, compensated the damage with a discount, and the piece was restored. I find it notable that, in past decades, some classic Trepča specimens were fixed to each other or onto matrix to improve stability or aesthetic presence. After breaking in transit, this piece has now—fully and properly—joined that tradition of its 'older sisters'.
About Vivianita
A hydrated ferrous iron phosphate regarded as a 'necromineral' due to its origin in the interaction between organic phosphates and iron, i.e. between post-mortem organic remains and iron. Photosensitive: it darkens over time as it oxidises, changing from blue to green.
About the locality
The Trepča mining complex in Kosovo is one of the major polymetallic districts of the Balkans. Historically productive in lead–zinc and silver, it has yielded considerable mineralogical diversity and numerous classic collector specimens throughout the 20th century.
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0322
- Composition
- Fe²⁺₃(PO₄)₂·8H₂O
- Name
- Vivianita
- Group
- Fosfatos
- Category
- Meritum Persé
- Mine
- Stan Terg Mine (Stari Trg)
- District / Municipality
- Trepča Complex
- Province
- Mitrovica
- Region
- Mitrovica District
- Country
- Kosovo
- Size (cm)
- 4.4 x 1.8 x 1.5
- Acquired
- 1970
- Ex-collection
- E. Lehrrieder > Dr. G. Jung
- Etymology
- In honour of John Henry Vivian (1785–1855), British mineralogist and politician who discovered it in 1817.
- Quality
- Buena
- Value trend
- Incierto