What it probably is, Purple stuff? No, not fluorite.. Options

[NewRockHounder]

After doing some book research I came upon "Purpurite," based on the description provided, IE occurs as crusts, compact, granular masses, brittle, slightly powdery consistency - it 99.8% matches what I have. Why did I leave off .2%? - Because, I don't have any means, currently, to do a scratch test. Book says it will leave a dark red streak.

A ceramic tile would work for a scratch test, right? Just to remind ya's what the deuce I'm talking about, provided some pics, again. (The first pic looks different then the rest, because it's sprayed with clear coat as not to crumble.. more so than it had)

[Dave S.]

Hey, how are you NRH? For a good scratch test, the best way is to isolate a piece of the mineral, then crush it into a powder. Then put the powder on a new white piece of paper. It helps to see if the powder can "paint" the paper when you rub it into the paper (dry). When using a "streak plate" you should only use an UNGLAZED piece of white porcelain, and even that does not work for minerals that have a Moh's hardness of 6 or more.

I don't know if you discussed this piece in another forum or not, but it would help me identify it from the pic if I had more info:
+ Where was it found? (Pikes Peak Granite?) + Does it change color/ hue from sunlight to artificial light? + What other minerals did you find near it?

You may also be able to see if it is a copper mineral, by putting it in a torch flame. If it has abundant copper it should turn the flame green a little bit. (do this in a ventilated area).

Hit me back with some info, and I can help you narrow down the possibilities.