Whiteite

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Whiteite
Whiteite-Lazulite-48334.jpg
Whiteite with lazulite from Rapid Creek, Dawson Mining District, the Yukon, Canada
General
Category Phosphate minerals
Formula
(repeating unit)
Whiteite-(CaFeMg):

CaFe2+Mg2Al2(PO4)4(OH)2·8H2O
Whiteite-(MnFeMg):
Mn2+Fe2+Mg2Al2(PO4)4(OH)2·8H2O
Whiteite-(CaMnMg):

CaMn

Contents

2+Mg2Al2(PO4)4(OH)2·8H2O
Strunz classification 8.DH.15 (10 ed, whole series)
7/D.29 (8 ed)
Dana classification42.11.3.1 Whiteite-(CaFeMg)

42.11.3.2 Whiteite-(MnFeMg)

42.11.3.3 Whiteite-(CaMnMg)
Crystal system Monoclinic
Crystal class Prismatic (2/m)
(same H-M symbol)
Space group P2/a (no. 13)
Identification
Formula mass Whiteite-(CaFeMg):756.29g

Whiteite-(MnFeMg):767.44g

Whiteite-(CaMnMg):755.61g
ColorWhiteite-(CaFeMg): Brown, pink-brown or yellow

Whiteite-(MnFeMg): Brown

Whiteite-(CaMnMg): Yellow, light lavender or pink
Crystal habit Tabular crystals or aggregates thereof
Twinning Invariably twinned by reflection on {001} producing a pseudo-orthorhombic appearance
Cleavage On {001}. Poor for whiteite-(CaMnMg), but good for the other members of the series (HOM)
Tenacity Whiteite-(CaMnMg) is brittle (HOM)
Mohs scale hardness3 to 4
Luster Vitreous
Streak White to brownish white
Diaphaneity Translucent to transparent
Specific gravity Whiteite-(CaFeMg) 2.58

Whiteite-(MnFeMg)2.67

Whiteite-(CaMnMg)2.63
Optical propertiesBiaxial (+)
Refractive index Nx = 1.580, Ny = 1.584 to 1.585, Nz = 1.590 to 1.591
Other characteristicsNot radioactive
References [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]

Whiteite is a rare hydrated hydroxyphosphate mineral.

Whiteite subgroup

The name whiteite refers to three minerals in the jahnsite-whiteite group, whiteite subgroup. Subgroup members (formulae from IMA [8] ):

In the whiteite formulae, the symbols in brackets indicate the dominant atom in three distinct structural positions, designated X, M(1), and M(2), in that order; for instance, magnesium Mg is always the dominant atom in the M(2) position for all the whiteite minerals. [5] Whiteite was named after John Sampson White Jr (born 1933), [10] associate curator of minerals at the Smithsonian Institution, and founder, editor and publisher (1970–1982) of the Mineralogical Record. [11]

Unit cell

All members of the series belong to the monoclinic crystal system with point group 2/m. Most sources give the space group as P21/a for the Ca Fe rich member, which was the first of the series to be described, [6] [2] [5] but Dana gives it as P2/a. [1] The other members are variously described in different sources as having space groups P21/a, P2/a or Pa.

There are two formula units per unit cell (Z = 2). The cell parameters vary slightly between the group members, but to the nearest angstrom they all have a = 15 Å, b = 7 Å and c = 10 Å, with β 112.5 to 113.4. Individual values are: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

Appearance

The whiteite minerals are generally brown, pink or yellow, and whiteite-(CaMnMg) may also be light lavender coloured. [5] They are transparent to translucent, with a vitreous luster and a white to brownish white streak. They occur as aggregates of tabular crystals, or thick tabular canoe-shaped crystals. [1] Whiteite from Rapid Creek in the Yukon, Canada, is often associated with deep blue lazulite crystals (33 out of 49 photos on Mindat.org).

Optical properties

The optical class is thought to be biaxial (+), [7] [2] [3] [4] but whiteite-(CaFeMg) may be biaxial (−). [5] [6] The refractive indices are Nx = 1.580, Ny = 1.584 to 1.585 and Nz = 1.590 to 1.591, similar to those for quartz.

Physical properties

Whiteite is invariably twinned, giving the crystals a pseudo-orthorhombic appearance, [1] [5] and the cleavage is good to perfect. [5] Whiteite is quite soft, with hardness 3 to 4, between calcite and fluorite. Its specific gravity is 2.58, similar to that of quartz. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] Whiteite is not radioactive. [2] [3] [4]

Occurrence

The type locality for whiteite-(CaFeMg)and whiteite-(MnFeMg) is the Ilha claim, Taquaral, Itinga, Jequitinhonha valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil, and for whiteite-(CaMnMg) it is the Tip Top Mine (Tip Top pegmatite), Fourmile, Custer District, Custer County, South Dakota, US. [7] The type material is conserved at the National School of Mines, Paris, France, and at the National Museum of Natural History, Washington DC, US, reference 123013. [5]

At the Lavra da Ilha pegmatite, Taquaral, Brazil, whiteite is found in a complex zoned granite pegmatite associated with eosphorite, zanazziite, wardite, albite and quartz. [5] At Blow River, the Yukon, Canada, it is found in iron-rich sedimentary rocks with siderite, lazulite, arrojadite and quartz. [5] At Ilha de Taquaral, Minas Gerais, Brazil, it occurs along joints and fractures in quartz and albite associated with other phosphates. [6]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vivianite</span> Phosphate mineral

Vivianite (Fe2+
3
(PO
4
)
2
·8H
2
O
) is a hydrated iron phosphate mineral found in a number of geological environments. Small amounts of manganese Mn2+, magnesium Mg2+, and calcium Ca2+ may substitute for iron Fe2+ in the structure. Pure vivianite is colorless, but the mineral oxidizes very easily, changing the color, and it is usually found as deep blue to deep bluish green prismatic to flattened crystals.
Vivianite crystals are often found inside fossil shells, such as those of bivalves and gastropods, or attached to fossil bone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brazilianite</span>

Brazilianite, whose name derives from its country of origin, Brazil, is a typically yellow-green phosphate mineral, most commonly found in phosphate-rich pegmatites.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lazulite</span> Phosphate mineral

Lazulite ((Mg,Fe2+)Al2(PO4)2(OH)2) is a blue, phosphate mineral containing magnesium, iron, and aluminium phosphate. Lazulite forms one endmember of a solid solution series with the darker iron rich scorzalite.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phosphate mineral</span> Nickel–Strunz 9 ed mineral class number 8 (isolated tetrahedral units, mainly)

Phosphate minerals contain the tetrahedrally coordinated phosphate (PO43−) anion, sometimes with arsenate (AsO43−) and vanadate (VO43−) substitutions, along with chloride (Cl), fluoride (F), and hydroxide (OH) anions, that also fit into the crystal structure.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Todorokite</span> Hydrous manganese oxide mineral

Todorokite is a complex hydrous manganese oxide mineral with generic chemical formula (Na,Ca,K,Ba,Sr)
1-x
(Mn,Mg,Al)
6
O
12
·3-4H
2
O
. It was named in 1934 for the type locality, the Todoroki mine, Hokkaido, Japan. It belongs to the prismatic class 2/m of the monoclinic crystal system, but the angle β between the a and c axes is close to 90°, making it seem orthorhombic. It is a brown to black mineral which occurs in massive or tuberose forms. It is quite soft with a Mohs hardness of 1.5, and a specific gravity of 3.49 – 3.82. It is a component of deep ocean basin manganese nodules.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vauxite</span> Phosphate mineral

Vauxite is a phosphate mineral with the chemical formula Fe2+Al2(PO4)2(OH)2·6(H2O). It belongs to the laueite – paravauxite group, paravauxite subgroup, although Mindat puts it as a member of the vantasselite Al4(PO4)3(OH)3·9H2O group. There is no similarity in structure between vauxite and paravauxite Fe2+Al2(PO4)2(OH)2·8H2O or metavauxite Fe3+Al2(PO4)2(OH)2·8H2O, even though they are closely similar chemically and all minerals occur together as secondary minerals. Vauxite was named in 1922 for George Vaux Junior (1863–1927), an American attorney and mineral collector.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zanazziite</span>

Zanazziite is a complex hydrated phosphate mineral from the roscherite group. It is a magnesium beryllium phosphate mineral. Zanazziite arises as barrel-shaped crystals and can reach up to 4 mm. It grows alongside quartz minerals. It is found in the crevices of Lavra da Ilha pegmatite, near Taquaral, in northeastern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Zanazziite is named after Pier F. Zanazzi. Zanazziite has an ideal chemical formula of Ca2Mg5Be4(PO4)6(OH)4·6H2O.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kutnohorite</span> Mineral of calcium manganese carbonate

Kutnohorite is a rare calcium manganese carbonate mineral with magnesium and iron that is a member of the dolomite group. It forms a series with dolomite, and with ankerite. The end member formula is CaMn2+(CO3)2, but Mg2+ and Fe2+ commonly substitute for Mn2+, with the manganese content varying from 38% to 84%, so the formula Ca(Mn2+,Mg,Fe2+)(CO3)2 better represents the species. It was named by Professor Bukowsky in 1901 after the type locality of Kutná Hora, Bohemia, in the Czech Republic. It was originally spelt "kutnahorite" but "kutnohorite" is the current IMA-approved spelling.

Jarosewichite is a rare manganese arsenate mineral with formula: Mn2+3Mn3+(AsO4)(OH)6. It was first described in Franklin, New Jersey which is its only reported occurrence. Its chemical composition and structure are similar to chlorophoenicite. This mineral is orthorhombic with 2/m2/m2/m point group. Its crystals are prismatic or barrel-shaped. The color of jarosewichite is dark red to black. It has subvitreous luster of fracture surfaces and reddish-orange streak. This mineral occurs with flinkite, franklinite, andradite and cahnite.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Woodhouseite</span>

Woodhouseite belongs to the beudantite group AB3(XO4)(SO4)(OH)6 where A = Ba, Ca, Pb or Sr, B = Al or Fe and X = S, As or P. Minerals in this group are isostructural with each other and also with minerals in the crandallite and alunite groups. They crystallise in the rhombohedral system with space group R3m and crystals are usually either tabular {0001} or pseudo-cubic to pseudo-cuboctahedral. Woodhouseite was named after Professor Charles Douglas Woodhouse (1888–1975), an American mineralogist and mineral collector from the University of California, Santa Barbara, US, and one-time General Manager of Champion Sillimanite, Inc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hureaulite</span>

Hureaulite is a manganese phosphate with the formula Mn2+5(PO3OH)2(PO4)2·4H2O. It was discovered in 1825 and named in 1826 for the type locality, Les Hureaux, Saint-Sylvestre, Haute-Vienne, Limousin, France. It is sometimes written as huréaulite, but the IMA does not recommend this for English language text.

This list gives an overview of the classification of non-silicate minerals and includes mostly International Mineralogical Association (IMA) recognized minerals and its groupings. This list complements the List of minerals recognized by the International Mineralogical Association series of articles and List of minerals. Rocks, ores, mineral mixtures, not IMA approved minerals, not named minerals are mostly excluded. Mostly major groups only, or groupings used by New Dana Classification and Mindat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maricite</span> Phosphate mineral

Maricite or marićite is a sodium iron phosphate mineral (NaFe2+PO4), that has two metal cations connected to a phosphate tetrahedron. It is structurally similar to the much more common mineral olivine. Maricite is brittle, usually colorless to gray, and has been found in nodules within shale beds often containing other minerals.

Penikisite was discovered by Alan Kulan and Gunar Penikis near Rapid Creek, Yukon Territory. The mineral is a member of the bjarebyite group along with kulanite, ideally BaFe2+2Al2(PO4)3(OH)3, and bjarebyite, ideally BaMn2+2Al2(PO4)3(OH)3. It is among several new minerals that have been discovered in the Rapid Creek and Big Fish areas of Yukon Territory. Kulanite is similar in many ways to penikisite in appearance and properties. The chemical formula for penikisite is Ba(Mg,Fe,Ca)Al2(PO4)2(OH)3. It has a hardness of about 4 and a density of 3.79 g/cm3. Penikisite is unique among the bjarebyite group in being monoclinic and has a biaxial optical class. It comes in shades of blue and green and, when rubbed on a streak plate, is pale green to white in color. Although penikisite and kulanite both range from blue to green, penikisite zones are easily distinguishable from kulanite zones in kulanite-penikisite crystals because they are lighter than the darker kulanite in color. Penikisite is a phosphate and is different from kulanite in that it is a magnesium-rich phosphate whereas kulanite is an iron-rich phosphate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Köttigite</span>

Köttigite is a rare hydrated zinc arsenate which was discovered in 1849 and named by James Dwight Dana in 1850 in honour of Otto Friedrich Köttig (1824–1892), a German chemist from Schneeberg, Saxony, who made the first chemical analysis of the mineral. It has the formula Zn3(AsO4)2·8H2O and it is a dimorph of metaköttigite, which means that the two minerals have the same formula, but a different structure: köttigite is monoclinic and metaköttigite is triclinic. There are several minerals with similar formulae but with other cations in place of the zinc. Iron forms parasymplesite Fe2+3(AsO4)2·8H2O; cobalt forms the distinctively coloured pinkish purple mineral erythrite Co3(AsO4)2·8H2O and nickel forms annabergite Ni3(AsO4)2·8H2O. Köttigite forms series with all three of these minerals and they are all members of the vivianite group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Talmessite</span>

Talmessite is a hydrated calcium magnesium arsenate, often with significant amounts of cobalt or nickel. It was named in 1960 for the type locality, the Talmessi mine, Anarak district, Iran. It forms a series with β-Roselite, where cobalt replaces some of the magnesium, and with gaitite, where zinc replaces the magnesium. All these minerals are members of the fairfieldite group. Talmessite is dimorphic with wendwilsonite.

Scandiobabingtonite was first discovered in the Montecatini granite quarry near Baveno, Italy in a pegmatite cavity. Though found in pegmatites, the crystals of scandiobabingtonite are sub-millimeter sized, and are tabular shaped. Scandiobabingtonite was the sixth naturally occurring mineral discovered with the rare earth element scandium, and grows around babingtonite, with which it is isostructural, hence the namesake. It is also referred to as scandian babingtonite. The ideal chemical formula for scandiobabingtonite is Ca2(Fe2+,Mn)ScSi5O14(OH).

Falsterite is a rare phosphate mineral with the formula Ca2MgMn2+2(Fe2+0.5Fe3+0.5)4Zn4(PO4)8(OH)4(H2O)14. It is a pegmatitic mineral, related to the currently approved mineral ferraioloite.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Serrabrancaite</span>

Serrabrancaite is a mineral with the chemical formula MnPO4•H2O and which is named for the locality where it was found, the Alto Serra Branca Pegmatite. The Alto Serra Branca mine has been in operation since the 1940s. It is located in Paraiba, Brazil near a village named Pedra Lavrada. Tantalite is the main mineral mined here. Specimens of serrabrancaite are kept in the Mineralogical Collections of both the Bergakademie Freiberg, Germany and the Martin-Luther Universität Halle, Institut für Geologische Wissenschaften.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Gaines et al (1997) Dana's New Mineralogy Eighth Edition. Wiley
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Whiteite-(CaFeMg) Mineral Data". Webmineral.com. Retrieved 2012-03-15.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Whiteite-(MnFeMg) Mineral Data". Webmineral.com. Retrieved 2012-03-15.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "Whiteite-(CaMnMg) Mineral Data". Webmineral.com. Retrieved 2012-03-15.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Handbook of Mineralogy". Handbook of Mineralogy. Retrieved 2012-03-15.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Fleischer, Chao and Pabst (1979) American Mineralogist 64:465, summarising Moore and Ito (1978) Mineralogical Magazine 42:309 [Whiteite-(CaMnMg) – AM75: Jambor and Grew (1990) American Mineralogist 75:933, summarising Grice, Dunn and Ramik (1989) The Canadian Mineralogist 27:699]
  7. 1 2 3 "Whiteite-(CaFeMg): Whiteite-(CaFeMg) mineral information and data". Mindat.org. 2012-01-30. Retrieved 2012-03-15.
  8. 1 2 "IMA Mineral List with Database of Mineral Properties". Rruff.info. Retrieved 2012-03-15.
  9. Elliott, Peter; Willis, Anthony C. (1 March 2019). "Whiteite-(mnmnmg), a New Jahnsite-Group Mineral from Iron Monarch, South Australia: Description and Crystal Structure". The Canadian Mineralogist. 57 (2): 215–223. doi:10.3749/canmin.1800070. S2CID   133690952.
  10. "Label Archive". The Mineralogical Record. 1933-09-30. Retrieved 2012-03-15.
  11. "The Mineralogical Record". The Mineralogical Record. Retrieved 2012-03-15.