The chemical formula of mineral Parasymplesite is indicated by Fe3(AsO4)2 – 8H2O or Hydrated Iron Arsenate. Parasymplesite is actually a Phosphate mineral. Parasymplesite is also a member of the Vivianite Group of minerals. It is most commonly used as mineral specimen and is most often found exhibiting interesting images when viewed under polarizing microscopes used in the field of optical mineralogy. Parasymplesite is actually a rare iron arsenate mineral that can make nice micromounted specimens under polarized microscopes used in the field of optical mineralogy. Parasymplesite can also form spherical aggregates of acicular crystals with a green color. Mineral Parasymplesite is known to be dimorphous with the mineral symplesite. Parasymplesite was named after this mineral. In the field of optical mineralogy, both minerals have the same exact chemistry, but they have structures resulting in different symmetries. Parasymplesite is known to crystallize in the monoclinic system of crystal formation while symplesite is in triclinic system.
Parasymplesite is also known to be in solid solution series with mineral kottigite. In optical mineralogy, a solid solution series exists when two or more elements can fill the same position within the structure of two or more minerals. In the case of Parasymplesite and kottigite, iron and zinc can occupy the same position in the kottigite/Parasymplesite structure. Kottigite is known to be the zinc rich member of the series while Parasymplesite is the iron rich member. Parasymplesite and kottigite are isostructural with all members of the Vivianite Group of minerals. In optical mineralogy, isotructural means with the same structure. It is however important to note that not all of them share elements within their structures.
Mineral Parasymplesite is most commonly found exhibiting greenish blue, greenish gray or green, which can be seen more splendidly exhibited under polarizing microscopes for mineralogists. Parasymplesite is most commonly found exhibiting vitreous luster when specimen is viewed in reflected light of petrographic polarizing microscope used in the field of optical mineralogy. Most crystals of mineral Parasymplesite are found transparent to translucent in appearance. Mineral Parasymplesite is known to crystallize in the monoclinic system of crystal formation. In optical mineralogy, the monoclinic system of crystal formation comprises crystals having three axes of unequal lengths. Two of which are usually found in a position that is oblique or not perpendicular to one another. However, both of which are commonly found perpendicular to the third axis. The crystal habit of mineral Parasymplesite as described in the field of optical mineralogy usually includes tabular or acicular crystal, radiating fibrous and massive crusts, all of which can be seen more fascinatingly exhibited when viewed with the aid of polarized microscopes for mineralogists. Parasymplesite is most often found showing perfect cleavage when viewed under polarizing microscope used in optical mineralogy. It is also most commonly found showing uneven fracture when viewed with the aid of polarized light microscope used in optical mineralogy. The hardness measure of mineral Parasymplesite when it is evaluated using the Mohs scale method is usually found 2. Parasymplesite is most commonly found leaving a white streak when specimen is rubbed on a white porcelain streak plate. The specific gravity measure of mineral Parasymplesite is approximately 3.0 grams per cubic centimeters to 3.1 grams per cubic centimeters, which is considered average for translucent minerals. The best field indicator of mineral Parasymplesite includes crystal habit, color, softness, cleavage, and association. Parasymplesite is most commonly found associated with other interesting minerals including pyrite, kottigite, and symplesite. Parasymplesite notably occurs at several localities including Japanand Alsace, France.
