Hydrated iron phosphate that starts colorless but turns deep blue to blue-black upon exposure to light. Color: Colorless fresh to deep blue/black oxidized. Luster: Vitreous to earthy. Streak: White to blue. Cleavage: Perfect in one direction. Hardness: 1.5-2. Transparency: Transparent to translucent. Crystal system: Monoclinic. Chemical formula: Fe₃ PO₄ ₂·8H₂O. Specific gravity: 2.68. Formation: Forms in waterlogged, reducing environments such as bogs, clay deposits, and alongside fossils. Common geological settings: Bolivia, Ukraine, Cameroon, USA; found in bog iron ores and clay deposits. Common look-alikes and related entries: Azurite, Lazulite, Erythrite.
These authoritative resources support category-level nomenclature, terminology, identification methods, and safety. When a specimen-specific safety warning appears, the public-health source listed here directly supports that precaution. They are not line-by-line citations for every other property on this entry, and natural specimens vary.
Editorial owner
GeoMiner
Last updated
2026-03-30T14:37:06.118633+00:00
Review status
Published; not independently peer-reviewed
IMA–CNMNC List of Mineral Names — International Mineralogical Association. Official mineral-name, nomenclature, and classification records.
Mineral ID Key — Mineralogical Society of America. Physical-property identification methods, repeat-testing guidance, and limitations.
Hydrated iron phosphate that starts colorless but turns deep blue to blue-black upon exposure to light.
How can you identify Vivianite?
Compare several properties rather than relying on colour alone. This entry records colour: Colorless fresh to deep blue/black oxidized; lustre: Vitreous to earthy; streak: White to blue; Mohs hardness: 1.5-2; cleavage: Perfect in one direction; crystal system: Monoclinic; transparency: Transparent to translucent. Confirm an important identification with additional field tests or qualified laboratory work.
How does Vivianite form?
Forms in waterlogged, reducing environments such as bogs, clay deposits, and alongside fossils.
Where is Vivianite commonly found?
Bolivia, Ukraine, Cameroon, USA; found in bog iron ores and clay deposits.
What is Vivianite commonly confused with?
Vivianite may be confused with Azurite, Lazulite, Erythrite. Compare multiple diagnostic properties because colour and surface appearance can overlap.
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