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Ernstite

Big Photo

Córrego Frio mine, Linópolis, Divino das Laranjeiras, Doce valley, Minas Gerais, Southeast Region, Brazil
© 2002 John H. Betts

Show Ernstite Photos (14)
Formula:
(Mn
2+
 
,Fe
3+
 
)Al[(OH,O)
 
2
|PO
 
4
] · H
 
2
O
System:MonoclinicColour:Yellow-brown
Hardness:3 - 3½
Name:Named for Dr. Theodore K. H. Ernst (1904-1983), professor of mineralogy, Erlangen University, Erlangen, Germany.



Ernstite was named on oxidized eosphorite. As eosphorite has by definition, Mn>Fe, then the ferric component could never be greater than 50 mole percent and was therefore a named new variety. A new species would have had to have manganic Mn > ferric Fe. Some of the single water molecule in the empirical eosphorite is converted to hydroxyl in the same ratio as the oxidized iron to any remaining divalent Fe. The above formula shows a full hydroxyl radical in the formula to avoid complex subscripts.

Classification of Ernstite

IMA status:Approved 1970
Strunz 8th edition ID:7/D.14-30
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:8.DD.20

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
D : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4= 2:1
Dana 8th edition ID:42.7.1.3

42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
7 : (AB)2(XO4)Zq·xH2O
Hey's CIM Ref.:19.12.56

19 : Phosphates
12 : Phosphates of Mn
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Type Occurrence of Ernstite

Type Locality:Davib East farm (Davib Ost farm), Karibib District, Erongo Region, Namibia
Year of Discovery:1970
Geological Setting of type material:Oxidized granitic pegmatite

Physical Properties of Ernstite

Diaphaneity (Transparency):Translucent
Colour:Yellow-brown
Hardness (Mohs):3 - 3½
Cleavage:Distinct/Good
Very Good on {100}
Good on {010}
Density (measured):3.07 g/cm3
Density (calculated):3.086 g/cm3

Crystallography of Ernstite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Cell Parameters:a = 13.32(1) Å, b = 10.497(5) Å, c = 6.969(4) Å
β = 90.37°
Ratio:a:b:c = 1.269 : 1 : 0.664
Unit Cell Volume:V 974.39 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:8
Morphology:Radial aggregates

Optical Data of Ernstite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.678 nβ = 1.706 nγ = 1.721
2V:Measured: 74° , Calculated: 70°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.043

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:High
Dispersion:r > v
Pleochroism:Visible
Comments:X= yellowish-brown
Y= red-brown
Z= pale yellow

Chemical Properties of Ernstite

Formula:
(Mn
2+
 
,Fe
3+
 
)Al[(OH,O)
 
2
|PO
 
4
] · H
 
2
O
Essential elements:Al, H, Mn, O, P
All elements listed in formula:Al, Fe, H, Mn, O, P

Relationship of Ernstite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
8.DD.05Chenevixite
Cu
 
2
Fe
3+
2
[(OH)
 
2
|AsO
 
4
]
 
2
8.DD.05Luetheite
Cu
 
2
Al
 
2
[(OH)
 
2
|AsO
 
4
]
 
2
8.DD.10Akrochordite
(Mn
2+
 
,Mg)
 
5
[(OH)
 
2
|AsO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
8.DD.10Guanacoite
Cu
 
2
Mg
 
2
(Mg
 
0.5
Cu
 
0.5
)[(OH)
 
2
|AsO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
8.DD.15Aheylite
(Fe
2+
 
,Zn)Al
 
6
[(OH)
 
4
|(PO
 
4
)
 
2
]
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
8.DD.15Chalcosiderite
Cu(Fe
3+
 
,Al)
 
6
[(OH)
 
4
|(PO
 
4
)
 
2
]
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
8.DD.15Faustite
(Zn,Cu)Al
 
6
[(OH)
 
4
|(PO
 
4
)
 
2
]
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
8.DD.15Planerite
Al
 
6
[(OH)
 
4
|HPO
 
4
|PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 4 H
 
2
O
8.DD.15Turquoise
Cu(Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
6
[(OH)
 
4
|(PO
 
4
)
 
2
]
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
8.DD.20Childrenite
(Fe
2+
 
,Mn
2+
 
)Al[(OH)
 
2
|PO
 
4
] · H
 
2
O
8.DD.20Eosphorite
(Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
)Al[(OH)
 
2
|PO
 
4
] · H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
19.12.1Metaswitzerite
Mn
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
·4H
 
2
O
19.12.2Bermanite
Mn
2+
 
(H
 
2
O)
 
4
[Mn
3+
2
(OH)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
]
19.12.3Natrophilite
NaMn
2+
 
[PO
 
4
]
19.12.4Sidorenkite
Na
 
3
Mn
2+
 
[PO
 
4
|CO
 
3
]
19.12.5Niahite
(NH
 
4
)(Mn
2+
 
,Mg)[PO
 
4
] · H
 
2
O
19.12.6Robertsite
Ca
 
3
Mn
3+
4
[(OH)
 
3
|(PO
 
4
)
 
2
]
 
2
 · 3H
 
2
O
19.12.7Pararobertsite
Ca
 
2
Mn
3+
3
[O
 
2
|(PO
 
4
)
 
3
] · 3H
 
2
O
19.12.8Sinkankasite
H
 
2
Mn
2+
 
Al[OH|(PO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 6H
 
2
O
19.12.9Mangangordonite
Mn
2+
 
Al
 
2
[OH|PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
19.12.10Heterosite
(Fe
3+
 
,Mn
3+
 
)[PO
 
4
]
19.12.11Purpurite
(Mn
3+
 
,Fe
3+
 
)[PO
 
4
]
19.12.12Wolfeite
(Fe
2+
 
,Mn
2+
 
)
 
2
[OH|PO
 
4
]
19.12.13Triploidite
(Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
)
 
2
[OH|PO
 
4
]
19.12.14Lipscombite
(Fe
2+
 
,Mn
2+
 
)Fe
3+
2
[OH|PO
 
4
]
 
2
19.12.15Frondelite
Mn
2+
 
Fe
3+
4
[(OH)
 
5
|(PO
 
4
)
 
3
]
19.12.16Rockbridgeite
Fe
2+
 
Fe
3+
4
[(OH)
 
5
|(PO
 
4
)
 
3
]
19.12.17Kryzhanovskite
MnFe
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
·H
 
2
O
19.12.18Landesite
Mn
2+
3-x
Fe
3+
x
[(OH)
 
x
|(PO
 
4
)
 
2
] · (3-x)H
 
2
O
19.12.19Phosphoferrite
(Fe,Mn)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
·3H
 
2
O
19.12.20Reddingite
(Mn,Fe)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
·3H
 
2
O
19.12.21Earlshannonite
Mn
2+
 
Fe
3+
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
·4H
 
2
O
19.12.22Hureaulite
(Mn,Fe)
 
5
(PO
 
3
OH)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
·4H
 
2
O
19.12.23Switzerite
(Mn,Fe)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
·7H
 
2
O
19.12.24Laueite
Mn
2+
 
Fe
3+
2
[OH|PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
19.12.25Pseudolaueite
Mn
2+
 
Fe
3+
2
[OH|PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
19.12.26Strunzite
Mn
2+
 
Fe
3+
2
[OH|PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
19.12.27Stewartite
Mn
2+
 
Fe
3+
2
[OH|PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
19.12.28Alluaudite
(Na,Ca)Mn
2+
 
(Fe
3+
 
,Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
,Mg)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
19.12.29Ferroalluaudite
(Na,Ca)Fe
2+
 
(Fe
3+
 
,Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
19.12.30Fillowite
{Mn
2+
 
}{Na
 
8
}{Ca
 
4
Na
 
4
}{(Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
)
 
43
}[PO
 
4
]
 
36
19.12.31Johnsomervilleite
{Ca}{Na
 
6
[ ]
 
2
}{Ca
 
6
Na
 
2
}{(Fe
2+
 
,Mg,Mn
2+
 
)
 
43
}[PO
 
4
]
 
36
19.12.32Wicksite
NaCa
 
2
(Fe
2+
 
,Mn
2+
 
)
 
4
MgFe
3+
 
[PO
 
4
]
 
6
 · 2H
 
2
O
19.12.33Dickinsonite-(KMnNa)
{KNa}{Mn
2+
 
[ ]}{Ca}{Na
 
3
}{Mn
2+
13
}{Al}[(OH)
 
2
|(PO
 
4
)
 
12
]
19.12.34Sarcopside
(Fe
2+
 
,Mn
2+
 
,Mg)
 
3
[PO
 
4
]
 
2
19.12.35Ludlamite
(Fe,Mn,Mg)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
·4H
 
2
O
19.12.36Graftonite
(Fe
2+
 
,Mn
2+
 
,Ca)
 
3
[PO
 
4
]
 
2
19.12.37Wilhelmvierlingite
CaMnFe
3+
 
[OH|(PO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 2H
 
2
O
19.12.38Fairfieldite
Ca
 
2
(Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
)[PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
19.12.39Beusite
(Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
,Ca,Mg)
 
3
[PO
 
4
]
 
2
19.12.40Messelite
Ca
 
2
(Fe
2+
 
,Mn
2+
 
)[PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
19.12.41Jahnsite-(CaMnFe)
CaMn
2+
 
Fe
2+
2
Fe
3+
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
19.12.42Jahnsite-(CaMnMn)
CaMn
2+
 
Mn
2+
2
Fe
3+
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
19.12.43Jahnsite-(CaMnMg)
CaMn
2+
 
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)
 
2
Fe
3+
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
19.12.44Keckite
CaMnMn
2+
2
Fe
3+
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
3
(H
 
2
O)
 
7
19.12.45Stanfieldite
Ca
 
7
Ca
 
2
Mg
 
9
[PO
 
4
]
 
12
19.12.46Laubmannite
(Fe
2+
 
,Mn
2+
 
,Ca)
 
3
Fe
3+
6
[(OH)
 
3
|PO
 
4
]
 
4
19.12.47Zodacite
Ca
 
4
Mn
2+
 
Fe
3+
4
[(OH)
 
2
|(PO
 
4
)
 
3
]
 
2
 · 12H
 
2
O
19.12.48Hagendorfite
NaCaMn
2+
 
Fe
2+
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
19.12.49Maghagendorfite
NaMn(Mg,Fe,Fe)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
19.12.50Varulite
NaCaMn
2+
 
Mn
2+
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
19.12.51Griphite
Na
 
4
Li
 
2
Ca
 
6
(Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
,Mg)
 
19
Al
 
8
[(F,OH)|(PO
 
4
)
 
3
]
 
8
19.12.52Attakolite
(Ca,Sr)Mn(Al,Fe)
 
4
[(OH)
 
4
|(SiO
 
4
,PO
 
4
)|(HPO
 
4
,PO
 
4
)
 
3
]
19.12.53Arrojadite-(KFe)
{KNa}{Fe
2+
 
[ ]}{Ca}{Na
 
2
[ ]}{Fe
2+
13
}{Al}[(OH)
 
2
|HPO
 
4
|(PO
 
4
)
 
11
]
19.12.54Lun'okite
(Mn,Ca)(Mg,Fe,Mn)Al(PO
 
4
)
 
2
OH·4H
 
2
O
19.12.55Eosphorite
(Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
)Al[(OH)
 
2
|PO
 
4
] · H
 
2
O
19.12.57Childrenite
(Fe
2+
 
,Mn
2+
 
)Al[(OH)
 
2
|PO
 
4
] · H
 
2
O
19.12.58Bobfergusonite
Na
 
2
Mn
 
5
FeAl(PO
 
4
)
 
6
19.12.59Qingheiite
NaMn
3+
 
Mg(Al,Fe
3+
 
)[PO
 
4
]
 
3
19.12.60Whiteite-(CaFeMg)
Ca(Fe
2+
 
,Mn
2+
 
)Mg
 
2
Al
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
19.12.61Whiteite-(CaMnMg)
CaMn
2+
 
Mg
 
2
Al
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
19.12.62Whiteite-(MnFeMg)
(Mn
2+
 
,Ca)(Fe
2+
 
,Mn
2+
 
)Mg
 
2
Al
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
19.12.63Rittmannite
(Mn
2+
 
,Ca)Mn
2+
 
(Fe
2+
 
,Mn
2+
 
,Mg)
 
2
(Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
19.12.64Zanazziite
Ca
 
2
(Mg,Fe)(Mg,Fe,Al)
 
4
Be
 
4
[(OH)
 
4
|(PO
 
4
)
 
6
] · 6H
 
2
O
19.12.65Samuelsonite
(Ca,Ba)Ca
 
8
Fe
2+
2
Mn
2+
2
Al
 
2
[(OH)
 
2
|(PO
 
4
)
 
10
]

Other Names for Ernstite

Synonyms:
IMA1970-012
Other Languages:
German:Ernstit
Japanese:アーンスト石
Spanish:Ernstita

Other Information

Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

References for Ernstite

Reference List:American Mineralogist: 56: 637.

Internet Links for Ernstite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
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    Localities for Ernstite

    Hide Locality List
    The map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
    (TL) indicates type locality. ? indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. All other localities listed without reference should be considered as uncertain and unproven until references can be found.
    Australia
     
    • South Australia
      • Mt Lofty Ranges
        • South Mt Lofty Ranges
          • Kapunda
    		Handbook of Mineralogy
    Brazil
     
    • Southeast Region
      • Minas Gerais
        • Doce valley
          • Divino das Laranjeiras
            • Linópolis
    		Mineralogical Record (2001) 32:249
    [MinRec 21:253-254]
        • Jequitinhonha valley
          • Itinga
    		Taquaral, Itinga, Araçuaí, Minas Gerais, Southeast Region, Brazil
    Canada
     
    • Yukon Territory
      • Dawson Mining District
    		[MinRec 23:Yukon 36]
    Namibia
     
    • Erongo Region
      • Karibib District
    		[NJMM (1970), 289; MinRec 2:129]
    USA
     
    • New Hampshire
      • Grafton Co.
        • Groton
    		No reference listed
    • South Dakota
      • Pennington Co.
    		Mineral Webzine, Dec. 2001.
          • Keystone
    		Dakota Matrix (dealer) website
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
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