Brushite was first described in 1865 for an occurrence on Aves Island, Nueva Esparta, Venezuela, and named for the American mineralogist George Jarvis Brush (1831–1912).[4] It is believed to be a precursor of apatite and is found in guano-rich caves, formed by the interaction of guano with calcite and clay at a low pH. It occurs in phosphorite deposits and forms encrustations on old bones. It may result from runoff of fields which have received heavy fertilizer applications.[4] Associated minerals include tanarakite, ardealite, hydroxylapatite, variscite and gypsum.[2]
^ abcAnthony, John W.; Bideaux, Richard A.; Bladh, Kenneth W.; Nichols, Monte C., eds. (2000). "Brushite". Handbook of Mineralogy(PDF). Vol. IV (Arsenates, Phosphates, Vanadates). Chantilly, VA, US: Mineralogical Society of America. ISBN0962209732. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2016-03-04.
^Schofield, P. F.; Knight, K. S.; Houwen, J. A. M. van der; Valsami-Jones, E. (December 2004). "The role of hydrogen bonding in the thermal expansion and dehydration of brushite, di-calcium phosphate dihydrate". Physics and Chemistry of Minerals. 31 (9): 606–624. Bibcode:2004PCM....31..606S. doi:10.1007/s00269-004-0419-6. S2CID94011250.
^"Brushite". Virtual Museum of Molecules and Minerals. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
