STRENGITE
Specimen stn-5

Dims: 1.6 x 1.6 x 0.6" (4.1 x 4.1 x 1.5 cm)

Wt: 1.10 oz. (31.4 g)

Leveaniemi Iron Mine, Kiruna, Norbotten, Sweden

A small crust of Strengite rests on the rusty iron-bearing base of this specimen. The crust is in fair condition, as it shows considerable damage, but this damage allows one to see its radial, fibrous form. Where intact, it shows a botryoidal habit that has a very dull, almost silky luster. Its color is a pale grayish pink, though its inner material appears to be much lighter. The crust is accompanied by a few random orbs of kidwellite, a related sulfide. It would appear, however, that the kidwellite only makes up a thin skin that covers each orb, and that their cores are made up of much darker-colored rockbridgeite. The base appears to be made up of hematite and shows visible weathering.

Dims: 2.3 x 2.1 x 1.5" (5.8 x 5.3 x 3.8 cm)

Wt: 5.44 oz. (154.3 g)

Leveaniemi Iron Mine, Kiruna, Norbotten, Sweden

Several small Strengite orbs are scattered on the iron-bearing base of this specimen. These orbs do not exceed 0.1" (3 mm) in diameter, and are generally in good condition, though a few are obviously damaged and incomplete. The broken surfaces show the compact, radial nature of the orbs, and all have a dull, almost silky luster. Their color is a pink-violet, and all are translucent. A few small, pale-green orbs of kidwellite accompany the Strengite, and all rest on what appears to be a crust of goethite. This crust partly coats the base, which appears to me made up mostly of hematite.

Dims: 1.9 x 1.7 x 1.0" (4.7 x 4.2 x 2.5 cm)

Wt: 1.6 oz. (45 g)

Indian Mountain, Cherokee County, Alabama, U.S.A.

Many tiny clusters of radiating Strengite crystals rest on the rusty base rock of this hand specimen. These crystals do not exceed 1 or 2 mm in length, and though many of them are crushed or decayed, there are a few clusters that are intact and in excellent condition. Their form is difficult to study with a loupe due to their size, but appears to be good. All have a pale to moderate pink coloration and a pearly-to-waxy luster, and are at least translucent.

Dims: 3.06x1.58x1.07" (7.78x4.02x2.73cm)

Wt: 5.83oz (165g)

Leveaniemi Iron Mine, Kiruna, Norbotten, Sweden

More than half of the largest surface on this piece of hematite is coated with lovely pale purple crystals of strengite. They have an unusual appearance, both dull and sparkly at the same time. A loupe reveals that this is caused by the crystal form, as the individual crystals have a vitreous luster, yet they are organized into rough spheres whose crevices absorb most reflections. There are many other minerals present, likely including goethite, kidwellite, and rockbridgite. About half of the strengite is coated with a yellow-brown layer, likely more rockbridgite.

Dims: 2.74x1.42x1.65" (6.95x3.61x4.18cm)

Wt: 5.58oz (158g)

Levineami, Sweden

This is a chunk of massive triphylite which has altered to a beautiful patch of strengite at one end. The strengite crystals are a pale lavender color, organized as botryoidal clusters of fine radial crystals. The clusters are rather dull in luster, but under a loupe the vitreous nature of the individual needles is apparent from their sparkle. There are other minerals present, but I have not determined the species.