Fahleite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Fahleite
Formula:
CaZn5Fe3+2(AsO4)6 · 14H2O
Colour:
Yellow, grey, bright-green
Lustre:
Silky, Pearly
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
3.08 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
Named in honor of Rolf Fahle (1943– ), Munich, Germany, a mineral dealer specializing in Tsumeb minerals, who supplied the type specimen.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1436
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1436:2
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
33e31ef4-262b-48d6-acf2-a24e28af71e6
IMA Classification of Fahleite
Approved
Approval year:
1982
First published:
1988
Classification of Fahleite
8.CH.55
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
H : With large and medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O < 1:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
H : With large and medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O < 1:1
40.5.8.2
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
5 : AXO4·xH2O
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
5 : AXO4·xH2O
20.3.21
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
3 : Arsenates of Zn, Cd or Hg
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
3 : Arsenates of Zn, Cd or Hg
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Symbol | Source | Reference |
---|---|---|
Fhl | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Fahleite
Silky, Pearly
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Yellow, grey, bright-green
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Sectile
Cleavage:
Perfect
⊥ fiber length
⊥ fiber length
Density:
3.08 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Fahleite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.628(1) nβ = 1.631(1) nγ = 1.656(1)
2V:
Measured: 39° , Calculated: 40°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.028
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
weak to distinct
Chemistry of Fahleite
Mindat Formula:
CaZn5Fe3+2(AsO4)6 · 14H2O
Crystallography of Fahleite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.4 Å, b = 11.72 Å, c = 21.9 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.546 : 1 : 1.869
Unit Cell V:
1,642.68 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Crystals are curved and twisted, in fibrous bundles, to about 1.5 cm;
Comment:
point and space groups not determined
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
22 Å | (100) |
11 Å | (100) |
3.2 Å | (80) |
2.9 Å | (50) |
1.65 Å | (20) |
Comments:
Poorly crystalline; only five diffuse lines.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] |
Type Occurrence of Fahleite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Crystals are curved and twisted, in fibrous bundles
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mineralogical Institute, Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Oxidation zone
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Medenbach, O., Schmetzer, K., Abraham, K. (1988) Fahleite from Tsumeb/Namibia, a new mineral belonging to the smolianinovite group. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Monatshefte: 1988: 167-171.
Synonyms of Fahleite
Other Language Names for Fahleite
Relationship of Fahleite to other Species
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
2 photos of Fahleite associated with Mineral GS1 (of Gebhard) | Zn, Fe, As, O, H |
1 photo of Fahleite associated with Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
8.CH.05 | Walentaite | Fe3+3(P0.84As0.16O4)2(O,OH)6As3+2.56Ca0.42Na0.28Mn2+0.35Fe2+0.30O6.1(OH)0.9(H2O)0.9 |
8.CH.05 | Natrowalentaite | [Fe3+0.5Na0.5(H2O)6][NaAs3+2(Fe3+2.33W6+0.67)(PO4)2O7] |
8.CH.05 | Halilsarpite | [Mg(H2O)6][CaAs3+2(Fe3+2.67Mo6+0.33)(AsO4)2O7] |
8.CH.10 | Anapaite | Ca2Fe2+(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
8.CH.15 | Picropharmacolite | Ca4Mg(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 11H2O |
8.CH.20 | Dittmarite | (NH4)Mg(PO4) · H2O |
8.CH.20 | Niahite | (NH4)(Mn2+,Mg)(PO4) · H2O |
8.CH.25 | Francoanellite | K3Al5(PO3OH)6(PO4)2 · 12H2O |
8.CH.25 | Taranakite | (K,NH4)Al3(PO4)3(OH) · 9H2O |
8.CH.30 | Schertelite | (NH4)2MgH2(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
8.CH.35 | Hannayite | (NH4)2Mg3H4(PO4)4 · 8H2O |
8.CH.40 | Struvite | (NH4)Mg(PO4) · 6H2O |
8.CH.40 | Struvite-(K) | KMg(PO4) · 6H2O |
8.CH.40 | Hazenite | KNaMg2(PO4)2 · 14H2O |
8.CH.45 | Rimkorolgite | (Mg,Mn)5(Ba,Sr,Ca)(PO4)4 · 8H2O |
8.CH.50 | Bakhchisaraitsevite | Na2Mg5(PO4)4 · 7H2O |
8.CH.55 | Smolyaninovite | Co3Fe3+2(AsO4)4 · 11H2O |
8.CH.60 | Barahonaite-(Al) | (Ca,Cu,Na,Fe3+,Al)12Al2(AsO4)8(OH,Cl)x · nH2O |
8.CH.60 | Barahonaite-(Fe) | (Ca,Cu,Na,Fe3+,Al)12Fe3+2(AsO4)8(OH,Cl)x · nH2O |
8.CH.70 | Epifanovite | NaCaCu5(PO4)4[AsO2(OH)2] · 7H2O |
8.CH.75 | Esdanaite-(Ce) | NaMnCe(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Fahleite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1436.html
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References for Fahleite
Reference List:
Localities for Fahleite
Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality.
Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Namibia (TL) | |
| Medenbach et al. (1988) |
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Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia