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Frondelite

Big Photo

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

Show Frondelite Photos (16)
Formula:
Mn
2+
 
Fe
3+
4
[(OH)
 
5
|(PO
 
4
)
 
3
]
System:OrthorhombicColour:Dark brown, ...
Hardness:4½
Name:Named after Clifford Frondel (1907-2002), American mineralogist, Professor of Mineralogy, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.


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.

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
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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
Geological Setting of type material:Granitic pegmatite
Associated Minerals at type locality:
VivianiteTriphylitePurpuritePhosphosideriteLeucophosphite
HeterositeCyrilovite

Occurrences of Frondelite

Geological Setting:Granitic pegmatites.

Physical Properties of Frondelite

Lustre:Vitreous, Dull
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Translucent
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, botyroidal 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)
Member of Group:
Rockbridgeite Group:
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.10Plimerite
ZnFe
3+
4
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
5
8.BC.15Aerugite
Ni
 
8.5
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
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+
 
(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
19.12.16Rockbridgeite
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
19.12.56Ernstite
(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

Other Languages:
German:Frondelit
Spanish: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

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    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.
    (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
        • Borborema mineral province
          • Frei Martinho
    		[MinRec 22:183]
    • Southeast Region
      • Minas Gerais
        • Doce valley
          • Divino das Laranjeiras
            • Linópolis
    		Cassedanne, J.P. (1983): Famous mineral localities: The Córrego Frio mine and vicinity, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Mineralogical Record, 14 (4): 227-237
    [MinRec 14:234]
    [MinRec 14:235]
    Cassedanne, J.P. (1983): Famous mineral localities: The Córrego Frio mine and vicinity, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Mineralogical Record, 14 (4): 227-237 [ p.233-4]
          • 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.
          • 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.
        • Jequitinhonha valley
          • Itinga
            • Taquaral
              • Laranjeira
    		Cassedanne, J.P. & J.O. (1980): A find of crystallized Rose Quartz in Minas Gerais. Mineralogical Record 11: 377-379
    Czech Republic
     
    • Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen)
      • Karlovy Vary Region
        • Horní Slavkov (Schlaggenwald)
          • Krásno
    		Petr Pauliš (2000): Nejzajímavější mineralogická naleziště Čech, Kuttna, Kutná Hora; Sejkora, J., Škoda, R., Ondruš, P., Beran, P. & Susser, C. (2006): Mineralogy of phosphate accumulations in the Huber stock, Krásno ore district, Slavkovský les area, Czech Republic. Journal of the Czech Geological Society 51, 103-147.
      • 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
    		Simone Citon collection
          • Nitzlbuch (Nitzelbuch)
    		Weiss: "Mineralfundstellen, Deutschland West", Weise (Munich), 1990
        • Oberpfälzer Wald
          • Vohenstrauß
            • Pleystein
    		Dill, H.G., Weber, B. (2009), Pleystein-City on Pegmatite, 4th International Symposium on Granitic Pegmatites, Recife, Brazil.
            • 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.
    • Viana do Castelo District
      • Ponte da Barca
    		Self-find by Nuno Afonso; optical and XRD analysed.
    Sweden
     
    • Lappland
      • Kiruna district
        • 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.
    Paul Moore, Am. Min. 50 (1965), 713-717
    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.
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