Lithiophilite

Lithiophilite is an end member of the Triphylite series, with Lithiophilite being the manganese-rich end member, and Triphylite being the iron-rich end member. Lithiophilite and Triphylite both commonly alter to secondary phosphates such as Vivianite, as well as to manganese and iron oxides.

Lithiophilite was named for its lithium content ("lithio"), and the Greek term, "philos", meaning friend, alluding to its composition of lithium as an integral component of its structure.

Lithiophilite is not common, and good examples of this mineral are relatively scarce. Large crystals, replaced by black oxides have come from the Stewart Mine, Pala, Pala District, San Diego Co., California. Transparent microcrystals, in fully transparent form as elongated brown crystals, were found at the Foote Lithium Mine, Cleveland Co., North Carolina.

In Connecticut, massive Lithiophilite has come from the Fillow Quarry, Branchville, Fairfield Co.; and the Strickland Quarry, Portland, Middlesex Co. Large, dark gray, altered crystals have come from the Emmons Quarry, Greenwood, Oxford Co., Maine.