Frondelite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Frondelite
Clifford Frondel
Formula:
Mn2+Fe3+4(PO4)3(OH)5
Colour:
Dark brown, ocher-yellow, red-brown, greenish black, greenish brown, black; rarely orange
Lustre:
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Greasy, Dull
Hardness:
4½
Specific Gravity:
3.453
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1949 by Marie Louise Lindberg (later Smith) in honor of Clifford Frondel (January 8, 1907 Brooklyn, New York, New York, USA - November 12, 2002 Winchester, Massachusetts, USA), American mineralogist, Professor of Mineralogy, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
The mineral cliffordite is also named in his honor.
The mineral cliffordite is also named in his honor.
Isostructural with:
Rockbridgeite Group. Frondelite-Rockbridgeite Series.
The Mn2+-analogue of rockbridgeite and plimerite.
A secondary mineral resulting from the alteration of primary phosphates in complex granitic pegmatites.
The Mn2+-analogue of rockbridgeite and plimerite.
A secondary mineral resulting from the alteration of primary phosphates in complex granitic pegmatites.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1614
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1614:4
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
c9d7f8c8-1a84-41dc-9b8f-b1c96529c9c5
IMA Classification of Frondelite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
(Mn2+0.5Fe3+0.5)2Fe3+3(PO4)3(OH)5
First published:
1949
Type description reference:
Classification of Frondelite
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
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
41.9.2.2
41 : ANHYDROUS PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
9 : (AB)5(XO4)3Zq
41 : ANHYDROUS PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
9 : (AB)5(XO4)3Zq
19.12.15
19 : Phosphates
12 : Phosphates of Mn
19 : Phosphates
12 : Phosphates of Mn
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMAâCNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMAâCNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMAâCNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Fnd | IMAâCNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMAâCNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Fnd | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Frondelite
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Greasy, Dull
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Dark brown, ocher-yellow, red-brown, greenish black, greenish brown, black; rarely orange
Comment:
Colour zoning lengthwise common, manifests as concentric banding in radial aggregates.
Streak:
Green (unoxidized), brown (oxidized)
Hardness:
4½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Very Good
On {100}, excellent; on {010}, good; on {001}, fair.
On {100}, excellent; on {010}, good; on {001}, fair.
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Splintery, Fibrous
Density:
3.453 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.35 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Frondelite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.860 nβ = 1.880 nγ = 1.893
2V:
Measured: 45°
Birefringence:
0.033
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.033
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:
Very High
Dispersion:
r > v strong
Optical Extinction:
Parallel
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = Light yellow-brown
Y = Orange-brown
Z = Orange-brown
Y = Orange-brown
Z = Orange-brown
Comments:
Much so-called frondelite is Fe2+>Mn2+ and therefore is rockbridgeite.
Chemistry of Frondelite
Mindat Formula:
Mn2+Fe3+4(PO4)3(OH)5
Crystallography of Frondelite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
2 2 2 - Disphenoidal
Space Group:
C2 2 21
Cell Parameters:
a = 13.810 Å, b = 16.968 Å, c = 5.182 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.814 : 1 : 0.305
Unit Cell V:
1,214.29 Ă
Âł (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, botyroidal and drusy masses.
Comment:
B2212
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 6.91 Ă | (17) |
| 3.615 Ă | (40) |
| 3.445 Ă | (25) |
| 3.381 Ă | (85) |
| 3.191 Ă | (100) |
| 3.046 Ă | (20) |
| 1.5953 Ă | (19) |
Comments:
ICDD 35-625
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 22 : Hydration and low-đ subsurface aqueous alteration (see also #23) | |
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] |
Geological Setting:
Granitic pegmatites.
Type Occurrence of Frondelite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Crusts and as botryoidal and drusy masses, showing in cross section a radiating fibrous structure.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA - #100808.
National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian), Washington, D.C., USA - #105946.
National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian), Washington, D.C., USA - #105946.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Granitic pegmatite
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Lindberg (1949) Frondelite and the frondelite-rockbridgeite series. American Mineralogist: 34: 541-549.
Other Language Names for Frondelite
Relationship of Frondelite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
| Ferrirockbridgeite | (Fe3+0.67â»0.33)2(Fe3+)3(PO4)3(OH)4(H2O) | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
| Ferrorockbridgeite | (Fe2+,Mn2+)2(Fe3+)3(PO4)3(OH)4(H2O) | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
| Manganrockbridgeite | Mn2+2Fe3+3(PO4)3(OH)4(H2O) | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
| Plimerite | ZnFe3+4(PO4)3(OH)5 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
| Rockbridgeite | Fe2+Fe3+4(PO4)3(OH)5 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 27 photos of Frondelite associated with Phosphosiderite | FePO4 · 2H2O |
| 13 photos of Frondelite associated with Strengite | FePO4 · 2H2O |
| 13 photos of Frondelite associated with Mitridatite | Ca2Fe3+3(PO4)3O2 · 3H2O |
| 11 photos of Frondelite associated with Lindbergite | Mn2+(C2O4) · 2H2O |
| 7 photos of Frondelite associated with Cyrilovite | NaFe3+3(PO4)2(OH)4 · 2H2O |
| 6 photos of Frondelite associated with Variscite | AlPO4 · 2H2O |
| 5 photos of Frondelite associated with Hureaulite | Mn2+5(PO3OH)2(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 4 photos of Frondelite associated with Rockbridgeite | Fe2+Fe3+4(PO4)3(OH)5 |
| 4 photos of Frondelite associated with Beraunite | Fe3+6(PO4)4O(OH)4 · 6H2O |
| 4 photos of Frondelite associated with Leucophosphite | KFe3+2(PO4)2(OH) · 2H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.BC. | Elaliite | (Fe2+8Fe3+)(PO4)O8 |
| 8.BC. | Elkinstantonite | Fe4(PO4)2O |
| 8.BC. | Manganrockbridgeite | Mn2+2Fe3+3(PO4)3(OH)4(H2O) |
| 8.BC.05 | Angelellite | Fe3+4(AsO4)2O3 |
| 8.BC.10 | Rockbridgeite | Fe2+Fe3+4(PO4)3(OH)5 |
| 8.BC.10 | Plimerite | ZnFe3+4(PO4)3(OH)5 |
| 8.BC.10 | Ferrorockbridgeite | (Fe2+,Mn2+)2(Fe3+)3(PO4)3(OH)4(H2O) |
| 8.BC.10 | Ferrirockbridgeite | (Fe3+0.67â»0.33)2(Fe3+)3(PO4)3(OH)4(H2O) |
| 8.BC.15 | Aerugite | Ni8.5(AsO4)2As5+O8 |
Fluorescence of Frondelite
Not Fluorescent in UV
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in HCl but not in HNO3 or H2SO4.
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 Frondelite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1614.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
References for Frondelite
Reference List:
Frost, Ray L., Xi, Yunfei, Scholz, Ricardo, Belotti, Fernanda M., Beganovic, Martina (2013) SEMâEDX, Raman and infrared spectroscopic characterization of the phosphate mineral frondelite (Mn2+)(Fe3+)4(PO4)3(OH)5. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 110. 7-13 doi:10.1016/j.saa.2013.02.008
Localities for Frondelite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
â - 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).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Brazil | |
| Queiroz (2016) | |
| Bermanec et al. (2011) |
| Geologist Rickson (https://www.mindat.org/photo-1005423.html) | |
| Baijot et al. (2014) +1 other reference | |
| Scholz et al. (2014) | |
| Cassedanne (1983) |
| Menezes Filho et al. (2019) +1 other reference | |
| Cassedanne (1983) | |
| Cassedanne (1983) | |
| Hatert et al. (2010) | |
| Cassedanne (1983) | |
| Atencio et al. (2004) |
| Mineralogical Record: 30: 347. +3 other references |
| Cassedanne (1980) |
| Atencio et al. (2006) |
| Cassedanne et al. (1991) |
| Sergio Varvello collection |
| Sergio Varvello collection |
Czech Republic | |
| Petr PauliĆĄ (2000) +1 other reference |
| Sejkora et al. (2006) | |
| JirĂĄsek J. et al. (2016) |
| Č +4 other references |
| Ć koda +3 other references |
DR Congo | |
| Mills et al. (2010) |
Europe | |
| Berbain et al. (2012) | |
Finland | |
| Lahti (1981) |
| Sandström et al. (2009) | |
France | |
| Berbain et al. (2012) |
Germany | |
| WeiĂ (1990) |
| WeiĂ (1990) |
| Simone Citon collection |
| Dill et al. (2009) |
| www.berthold-weber.de (2001) |
| Harald G. Dill and Radek Skoda (2015) |
| Steffen Michalski collection - ex ... | |
Italy | |
| Raudsepp M. and Pani E. (1994) |
Morocco | |
| Favreau (2012) |
Namibia | |
| von Bezing (2007) |
| Keller (1974) | |
| Förch (1998) |
| Broccardo et al. (2011) |
Portugal | |
| |
| Pedro Alves collection. Characterized ... |
| Schnorrer-Köhler (1991) |
| Alves (n.d.) | |
| Self-find by Nuno Afonso +1 other reference |
| Cassat et al. (1989) |
| Pedro Alves collection and analytical ... | |
| Pedro Alves (2012) |
Rwanda | |
| Knut Edvard Larsen collection # 1176 |
| Bertossa (1968) +1 other reference |
Spain | |
| Calvo Rebollar (2015) |
Sweden | |
| Thorin (1989) |
UK | |
| Elton (1998) |
USA | |
| Fisher (2002) |
| - (n.d.) +3 other references |
| Found by Lloyd W. Alexander during ... +1 other reference |
| Palache et al. (1951) +2 other references |
| Paul Moore (1965) +1 other reference | |
| Whitmore et al. (2004) | |
| Horton et al. (1981) +1 other reference |
| |
| Smith et al. (2000) |
| Rocks & Minerals: 60: 117. +1 other reference | |
| Smith et al. (2000) |
| Rocks & Minerals: 67 (6) |
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SĂtio do Castelo Mine, Folgosinho, Gouveia, Guarda, Portugal