Väyrynenite

Rare väyrynenite on matrix from the classic Viitaniemi Pegmatite, Eräjärvi, Orivesi, Pirkanmaa, Finland. The specimen shows pink to pale rose väyrynenite occurring as compact crystalline to massive material within a quartz-rich matrix, displaying the soft colour tones typical for this species.

Väyrynenite is a rare phosphate mineral, first described in 1954 and named in honour of Heikki Väyrynen, a Finnish geologist noted for his work on the granitic pegmatites of Finland. The mineral forms in granitic pegmatites, where it occurs as a late-stage beryllium–manganese phosphate.

The Viitaniemi pegmatite is the type locality for väyrynenite and represents the most important and best-known source of this mineral worldwide. Väyrynenite is considered rare and locality-restricted, and specimens from Viitaniemi are especially sought after by advanced systematic collectors. The species belongs to a small group of beryllium-bearing phosphates, adding to its mineralogical interest.

The specimen originates from the former collection of C. Strömpl, an amateur mineralogist.