Mélonjosephite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Mélonjosephite
Joseph Mélon
Formula:
CaFe2+Fe3+(PO4)2(OH)
Colour:
Dark green, nearly black.
Lustre:
Vitreous, Resinous
Hardness:
5
Specific Gravity:
3.65
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named in honour of Joseph Mélon (born in Ieper, Belgium, on January 19, 1898, passed away in Liège, Belgium, on March 8, 1991), scientific collaborator and later professor in mineralogy at the university of Liège, Belgium.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2640
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2640:2
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
07daf04d-a9e5-418e-a5d4-c4738d4c23c0
IMA Classification of Mélonjosephite
Approved
Classification of Mélonjosephite
8.BG.10
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
G : With medium-sized and large cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 = 0.5:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
G : With medium-sized and large cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 = 0.5:1
41.10.5.1
41 : ANHYDROUS PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
10 : (AB)3(XO4)2Zq
41 : ANHYDROUS PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
10 : (AB)3(XO4)2Zq
19.14.18
19 : Phosphates
14 : Phosphates of Fe and other metals
19 : Phosphates
14 : Phosphates of Fe and other metals
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mjo | 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 Mélonjosephite
Vitreous, Resinous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Dark green, nearly black.
Streak:
Greenish
Hardness:
5 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
One, longitudinal; another, transverse
One, longitudinal; another, transverse
Density:
3.65(2) g/cm3 (Measured) 3.61 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Mélonjosephite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.720 nβ = 1.770 nγ = 1.800
2V:
Measured: 80° to 85°, Calculated: 72°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.080
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 moderate
Comments:
X = deep brown with greenish tint, dark blue-green;
Y = greenish brown, dark olive-brown;
Z = golden yellow with greenish tint, pale brown
Y = greenish brown, dark olive-brown;
Z = golden yellow with greenish tint, pale brown
Chemistry of Mélonjosephite
Mindat Formula:
CaFe2+Fe3+(PO4)2(OH)
Crystallography of Mélonjosephite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pbam
Setting:
Pbam
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.542(1) Å, b = 10.834(1) Å, c = 6.374(1) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.881 : 1 : 0.588
Unit Cell V:
658.93 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 22 : Hydration and low-𝑇 subsurface aqueous alteration (see also #23) | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] |
Type Occurrence of Mélonjosephite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Crystals tabular, showing {001}, {010}, and {100}; in fibrous masses, with fibers to 1 cm
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Laboratory of Mineralogy, University of Liège
Musée de Minéralogie, Ecole des Mines de Paris
National Museum of Natural History, Washington
Musée de Minéralogie, Ecole des Mines de Paris
National Museum of Natural History, Washington
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Granite pegmatite
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Mélonjosephite
Other Language Names for Mélonjosephite
German:Mélonjosephit
Spanish:Mélonjosephita
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 4 photos of Mélonjosephite associated with Hureaulite | Mn2+5(PO3OH)2(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 3 photos of Mélonjosephite associated with Tavorite | LiFe3+(PO4)(OH) |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.BG. | Canosioite | Ba2Fe3+(AsO4)2(OH) |
| 8.BG. | Aldomarinoite | Sr2Mn3+(AsO4)2(OH) |
| 8.BG. | Dongchuanite | Pb4ZnZn2(PO4)4(OH)2 |
| 8.BG. | Cuprodongchuanite | Pb4CuZn2(PO4)4(OH)2 |
| 8.BG.05 | Arsentsumebite | Pb2Cu(AsO4)(SO4)(OH) |
| 8.BG.05 | Bearthite | Ca2Al(PO4)2(OH) |
| 8.BG.05 | Brackebuschite | Pb2Mn3+(VO4)2(OH) |
| 8.BG.05 | Gamagarite | Ba2Fe3+(VO4)2(OH) |
| 8.BG.05 | Goedkenite | Sr2Al(PO4)2(OH) |
| 8.BG.05 | UM1994-19-PO:CuHMoPb | Pb2Cu(PO4)(MoO4,AsO4,CrO4,GaO4)(OH) |
| 8.BG.05 | Tsumebite | Pb2Cu(PO4)(SO4)(OH) |
| 8.BG.05 | Arsenbrackebuschite | Pb2Fe3+(AsO4)2(OH) |
| 8.BG.05 | Feinglosite | Pb2Zn(AsO4)2 · H2O |
| 8.BG.05 | Bushmakinite | Pb2Al(PO4)(VO4)(OH) |
| 8.BG.05 | Tokyoite | Ba2Mn3+(VO4)2(OH) |
| 8.BG.05 | Calderónite | Pb2Fe3+(VO4)2(OH) |
| 8.BG.05 | Ferribushmakinite | Pb2Fe3+(PO4)(VO4)(OH) |
| 8.BG.05 | Lombardoite | Ba2Mn3+(AsO4)2(OH) |
| 8.BG.05 | Unnamed (possible ordered As-analogue of Tokyoite) | Ba2Mn[(As,V)O4]2(OH) |
| 8.BG.15 | Tancoite | LiNa2Al(PO4)(PO3OH)(OH) |
| 8.BG.20 | Dmisokolovite | K3Cu5AlO2(AsO4)4 |
| 8.BG.25 | Shchurovskyite | K2CaCu6O2(AsO4)4 |
| 8.BG.30 | Wrightite | K2Al2O(AsO4)2 |
| 8.BG.35 | Polyarsite | Na7CaMgCu2(AsO4)4F2Cl |
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 Mélonjosephite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2640.html
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References for Mélonjosephite
Reference List:
Fransolet, André-Mathieu (1973) La mélonjosephite Ca Fe2+Fe3+(PO4)2(OH), une nouvelle espèce minérale. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 96 (2) 135-142 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1973.6795
Fleischer, Michael, Mandarino, Joseph A. (1975) NEW MINERAL NAMES. American Mineralogist, 60 (9-10) 945-947
Localities for Mélonjosephite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The 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).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Antarctica | |
| Grew et al. (2006) |
Bolivia | |
| Petrov et al. (2006) |
Czech Republic | |
| Povondra et al. (eds.) +1 other reference |
Morocco (TL) | |
| Fransolet (1973) |
Namibia | |
| von Bezing (2007) |
| rruff.geo.arizona.edu (2006) | |
Poland | |
| Włodek et al. (2011) |
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Sandamap pegmatite, Sandamap North Farm 115, Dâures Constituency, Erongo Region, Namibia