Leveäniemi Iron mine, Svappavaara, Kiruna, Lappland, Sweden

Sparkling violet coloured balls of Strengite, an Iron Phosphate, have grown in a cavity in a Goethite/Martite matrix. The Strengite has superb lustre and is translucent with balls measuring to just over 5mm in width. The Strengite has overgrown and is associated with smaller dark green velvety spherules (possibly Rockbridgeite coating Beraunite, or rare Laubmannite?) measuring to 2mm, which in turn have grown on larger black balls of radial crystals to 7mm (possible Beraunite). Around the edges of the specimens, where the Strengite has contacts, the radial internal structure can be seen, and dark green balls which the Strengite has overgrown. Min Rec Vol 20, no.5 has a short article on mid 1980s find of Strengite specimens at this Swedish Iron ore location.