Formed from the chemical alteration of guano deposits (Mejillones, Chile; Imperial Canyon lava tubes, Kenya), and an elephant tusk (Edgerton, Minnesota, USA).
IMA Status:
Valid Species (Pre-IMA) 1868
Locality:
Found on Mejillones Island, Chile. In Western Australia, found in the Pilbara district, at Wodgina. From Marlborough, New Zealand. In the USA, sound near Edgerton, Pipestone Co., Minne
Link to MinDat.org Location Data.
Name Origin:
In honor of Pierre Adolphe Bobierre (1823-1881), French agricultural chemist, who first described the mineral.