Mindat Logo
Home Page Log In Message Board The Mindat Directory
Register Search Pages Chat Now! (6 online) Mindat Auctions

Frondelite

Big Photo

Foote Lithium Co. Mine (Foote Mine), Kings Mountain District, Cleveland Co., North Carolina, USA
© Stephan Wolfsried

Show Frondelite Photos (14)
Formula:
Mn
2+
 
Fe
3+
4
[(OH)
 
5
|(PO
 
4
)
 
3
]
System:OrthorhombicColour:Dark brown, ...
Hardness:4½
Name:Named after Clifford Frondel, American mineralogist, Professor of Mineralogy, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.


Frondelite-Rockbridgeite Series. The Mn2+ analogue of Rockbridgeite.

A secondary mineral resulting from the alteration of primary phosphates in complex granitic pegmatites.

Classification of Frondelite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:7/B.10-20
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:8.BC.10

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
C : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 > 1:1 and < 2:1
Dana 8th edition ID:41.9.2.2

41 : ANHYDROUS PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
9 : (AB)5(XO4)3Zq
Hey's CIM Ref.:19.12.15

19 : Phosphates
12 : Phosphates of Mn
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-1614.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Type Occurrence of Frondelite

Type Locality:Sapucaia Mine, Sapucaia do Norte, Galiléia, Doce valley, Minas Gerais, Southeast Region, Brazil
Place of Conservation of Type Material:Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA - #100808.

National Museum of Natural Histriy, Washington, D.C., USA - #105946.
Year of Discovery:1949
Associated Minerals at type locality:
VivianiteTriphylitePurpuritePhosphosideriteLeucophosphite
HeterositeCyrilovite

Occurrences of Frondelite

Geological Setting:Granitic pegmatites.

Physical Properties of Frondelite

Lustre:Vitreous, Dull
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Translucent on thin edges
Colour:Dark brown, ocher-yellow, red-brown, orange, greenish brown
Comment:Colour zoning lengthwise common, manifests as concentric banding in radial aggregates.
Hardness (Mohs):4½
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Very Good
On {100}, excellent; on {010}, good; on {001}, fair.
Fracture:Irregular/Uneven
Density (measured):3.453 g/cm3
Density (calculated):3.35 g/cm3

Crystallography of Frondelite

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):2 2 2 - Disphenoidal
Cell Parameters:a = 13.81Å, b = 16.96Å, c = 5.18Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.814 : 1 : 0.305
Unit Cell Volume:V 1,213.25 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:4
Morphology:Euhedral crystals rare. Crystals exhibit {100}, {010}, {110}, and {101}. Typically fibrous, elongated along [001]; radiating, in crusts, botryoidal and drusy masses.

Optical Data of Frondelite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.860 nβ = 1.880 nγ = 1.893
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.033

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

Chemical Properties of Frondelite

Formula:
Mn
2+
 
Fe
3+
4
[(OH)
 
5
|(PO
 
4
)
 
3
]
Essential elements:Fe, H, Mn, O, P
All elements listed in formula:Fe, H, Mn, O, P

Relationship of Frondelite to other Species

Series:Forms a series with Rockbridgeite (see here)
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):
8.BC.05Angelellite
Fe
3+
4
[O
 
3
|(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
]
8.BC.10Rockbridgeite
Fe
2+
 
Fe
3+
4
[(OH)
 
5
|(PO
 
4
)
 
3
]
8.BC.15Aerugite
Ni
 
8.5
(AsO
 
4
)
 
3
As
5+
 
O
 
8
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:
19.12.1Metaswitzerite
Mn
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
·4H
 
2
O
19.12.2Bermanite
Mn
2+
 
Mn
3+
2
[OH|PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
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
19.12.16Rockbridgeite
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
H
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
·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
(Ca,Mg)(Mn
2+
 
,Zn)
 
2
Fe
3+
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
3
 · 2H
 
2
O
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
19.12.56Ernstite
(Mn
2+
 
,Fe
3+
 
)Al[(OH,O)
 
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 Frondelite

German names:
Frondelit
Spanish names:
Frondelita

Other Information

Other Information:Soluble in HCl but not in HNO3 or H2SO4.
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 Frondelite

Reference List:Lindberg (1949) Frondelite and the frondelite-rockbridgeite series. American Mineralogist: 34: 541-549.

Lindberg, M.L. (1960) Crystal habit of frondelite, Sapucaia pegmatite mine, Minas Gerais, Brazil. U.S.G.S. Professional Paper 400B: 429–430.

Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged, 1124 pp.: 867-869.

Internet Links for Frondelite

Search Engines:
  • Look for Frondelite on Google
  • Look for Frondelite images on Google
    • External Links:
  • Look for Frondelite on Webmineral
  • Look for Frondelite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Frondelite on Wikipedia
  • Look for Frondelite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Frondelite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Frondelite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
    • Mineral Dealers:
  • Mineral Classics - Worldwide Collector Quality Minerals and Gems
  • Buy Minerals and Crystals from Crystalarium.com
  • Buy fine minerals and gemstones from Pala International
  • Wilensky Fine Minerals
  • Lapis Mineral Magazin
  • Wright's Rock Shop - excellent mineral specimens since 1970
  • Fabre Minerals - search for Frondelite specimens
  • e-Rocks - Mineral Auctions and Sales
  • rare and unusual minerals mainly crystallized
  • The Arkenstone - Fine Minerals
  • Wendel Minerals - Auktion & Shop
  • High-end worldwide specimens & outstanding customer service
    • Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs

    • Page Sponsor

    Sponsorship:This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to find out how you can sponsor this page.

    Localities for Frondelite

    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.
    These maps work faster with Firefox!
    (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.
    Brazil
     
    • Northeast Region
      • Paraíba
        • Frei Martinho
    		[MinRec 22:183]
    • Southeast Region
      • Minas Gerais
        • Doce valley
          • Divino das Laranjeiras
            • Linópolis
    		[MinRec 14:233]
    [MinRec 14:234]
    [MinRec 14:235]
    [MinRec 14:233]
          • Galiléia
    		Krister collection
            • Sapucaia do Norte
    		AmMin 89:1087
    American Mineralogist (1949): 34: 541-549; Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 868; Mineralogical Record: 30: 347.
        • Itinga
          • Taquaral
            • Laranjeira
        • Mendes Pimentel
    		Atencio, D., Coutinho, J.M.V., Mascarenhas, Y.P., Ellena, J. (2006): Matioliite, the Mg-analog of burangaite, from Gentil mine, Mendes Pimentel, Minas Gerais, Brazil, and other occurrences. American Mineralogist, 91, 1932-1936.
    Czech Republic
     
    • Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen)
      • Karlovy Vary Region
        • Horní Slavkov (Schlaggenwald)
    		Petr Pauliš (2000): Nejzajímavější mineralogická naleziště Čech, Kuttna, Kutná Hora
      • Plzeň Region
        • Domažlice (Taus)
          • Otov
    		Čech F., Staněk J., Dávidová Š. (1981): Minerály pegmatitů. - in: Bernard J.H. [ed.]: Mineralogie Československa. Academia, Praha.
    • Moravia (Mähren; Maehren)
      • Vysočina Region
        • Velké Meziříčí
    		Škoda, R., Staněk, J., Čopjaková, R.: Minerální asociace fosfátových nodulí z granitického pegmatitu od Cyrilova u Velkého Meziříčí, Moldanubikum; část 1 – primární a exsoluční fáze. Acta Mus. Moraviae, Sci. geol., 2007, 92, 59-74.
    Finland
     
    • Etelä-Suomen Lääni
      • Orivesi
        • Eräjärvi area
    		No reference listed
    Germany
     
    • Bavaria
      • Lower Bavaria
        • Bavarian Forest
          • Zwiesel
            • Rabenstein
    		Weiss: "Mineralfundstellen, Deutschland West", Weise (Munich), 1990
      • Upper Palatinate
        • Auerbach
          • Nitzlbuch (Nitzelbuch)
    		Weiss: "Mineralfundstellen, Deutschland West", Weise (Munich), 1990
        • Oberpfälzer Wald
          • Vohenstrauß
            • Pleystein
            • Waidhaus
              • Hagendorf
    		http://www.berthold-weber.de/h_miner.htm
    Namibia
     
    • Erongo Region
      • Karibib District
        • Usakos
    		Keller, P. (1974): Phosphatmineralien aus Pegmatiten Sudwestafrikas, Der Aufschluss 25,577-591(1974)
    Portugal
     
    • Guarda District
      • Gouveia
        • Folgosinho
      • Sabugal
    		Schnorrer-Köhler (1991), Mineral Occurrences.
    Sweden
     
    • Lappland
      • Kiruna
        • Svappavaara
    		No reference listed
    UK
     
    • England
      • Cornwall
        • St Austell District
          • Luxulyan Area (Luxulian Area)
            • Hensbarrow Downs
              • Stenalees
    		Elton, N. J. (1998): Barbosalite, frondelite and other phosphates from Gunheath China Clay Pit, St Austell, Cornwall, England. Journal of the Russell Society 7, 15-18.
    USA
     
    • California
      • San Diego Co.
        • Jacumba District
          • Mt. Tule
    		Mineralogical Record 33(5):363-407
    • New Hampshire
      • Grafton Co.
        • Groton
    		Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 868; Korbel & Novak (1999) Min. Encylopaedia, p.163.
    No reference listed
    Whitmore & Lawrence, 2004. The Pegmatite Mines Known As Palermo, p. 96.
    • North Carolina
      • Cleveland Co.
        • Kings Mountain District
      • Gaston Co.
        • Bessemer City
    		No reference listed
    • South Dakota
      • Custer Co.
        • Custer District
          • Fourmile
    		Rocks & Minerals: 75(3): 156-169.
    Mineralogical Record: 17: 237-254; Rocks & Minerals: 60: 117.
      • Pennington Co.
        • Hill City District
    		Rocks & Minerals: 75(3): 156-169.
        • Keystone District
          • Keystone
    		Rocks & Minerals: 67(6): 380-388.
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
    www.mindat.org Web
    Copyright © Jolyon & Ida Ralph 1993-2008. Site Map. Locality, mineral & photograph data are the copyright of the individuals who submitted them.Further information contact the Site hosted & developed by Jolyon Ralph. Mindat.org is an online information resource dedicated to providing free mineralogical information to all. Mindat relies on the contributions of hundreds of members and supporters. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register.