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Messelite

Big Photo

Messel Mine, Messel, Darmstadt, Hesse, Germany
© Thomas Witzke

Show Messelite Photos (11)
Formula:
Ca
 
2
(Fe
2+
 
,Mn
2+
 
)[PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
System:TriclinicHardness:3½
Name:After the type locality at Messel, Hessen, Germany.
This page provides mineralogical data about Messelite.

Classification of Messelite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:7/C.17-20
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:8.CG.05

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
G : With large and medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O = 1:1
Dana 8th edition ID:40.2.2.2

40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
2 : AB2(XO4)2·xH2O
Hey's CIM Ref.:19.12.40

19 : Phosphates
12 : Phosphates of Mn
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Type Occurrence of Messelite

Type Locality:Messel Mine, Messel, Darmstadt, Hesse, Germany
Year of Discovery:1889
Geological Setting of type material:Bituminous clay.

Physical Properties of Messelite

Hardness (Mohs):3½

Crystallography of Messelite

Crystal System:Triclinic
Cell Parameters:a = 5.8Å, b = 6.6Å, c = 5.5Å
α = 102°, β = 109°, γ = 90°
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.879 : 1 : 0.833
Unit Cell Volume:V 194.20 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:Crystals aggregated into crude stellate bunches.

Optical Data of Messelite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.644 nβ = 1.653 nγ = 1.680
2V:Measured: 20° to 35°, Calculated: 62°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.036

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Moderate
Dispersion:relatively strong

Chemical Properties of Messelite

Formula:
Ca
 
2
(Fe
2+
 
,Mn
2+
 
)[PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
Essential elements:Ca, Fe, H, O, P
All elements listed in formula:Ca, Fe, H, Mn, O, P

Relationship of Messelite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
8.CG.05Cassidyite
Ca
 
2
(Ni
2+
 
,Mg)[PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
8.CG.05Collinsite
Ca
 
2
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)[PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
8.CG.05Fairfieldite
Ca
 
2
(Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
)[PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
8.CG.05Gaitite
Ca
 
2
Zn[AsO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
8.CG.05Parabrandtite
Ca
 
2
Mn
2+
 
[AsO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
8.CG.05Talmessite
Ca
 
2
Mg[AsO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
8.CG.05β-Uranophane
Ca(UO
 
2
)
 
2
[HSiO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 5H
 
2
O
8.CG.05Hillite
Ca
 
2
(Zn,Mg)[PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2 H
 
2
O
8.CG.10Brandtite
Ca
 
2
(Mn
2+
 
,Mg)[AsO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
8.CG.10Roselite
Ca
 
2
(Co
2+
 
,Mg)[AsO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
8.CG.10Wendwilsonite
Ca
 
2
(Mg,Co
2+
 
)[AsO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
8.CG.10Zincroselite
Ca
 
2
Zn[AsO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
8.CG.15Ferrilotharmeyerite
Ca(Fe
3+
 
,Zn)
 
2
[AsO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2(OH,H
 
2
O)
8.CG.15Lotharmeyerite
Ca(Zn,Mn
3+
 
)
 
2
[AsO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2(H
 
2
O,OH)
8.CG.15Mawbyite
Pb(Fe
3+
 
,Zn)
 
2
[AsO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2(OH,H
 
2
O)
8.CG.15Mounanaite
PbFe
3+
2
[VO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2(OH,F)
8.CG.15Thometzekite
Pb(Cu,Zn)
 
2
[AsO
 
4
,SO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2(H
 
2
O,OH)
8.CG.15Tsumcorite
Pb(Zn,Fe
3+
 
)
 
2
[AsO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2(H
 
2
O,OH)
8.CG.15Cobaltlotharmeyerite
Ca(Co,Fe
3+
 
,Ni)
 
2
[AsO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2(H
 
2
O,OH)
8.CG.15Cabalzarite
Ca(Mg,Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
2
[AsO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2(OH,H
 
2
O)
8.CG.15Krettnichite
(Pb,Sr)(Mn
3+
 
,Co)
 
2
[VO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2(OH,H
 
2
O)
8.CG.15Cobalttsumcorite
Pb(Co,Fe
3+
 
,Ni)
 
2
[AsO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2(H
 
2
O,OH)
8.CG.15Nickellotharmeyerite
Ca(Ni,Fe
3+
 
,Co)
 
2
[AsO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2(H
 
2
O,OH)
8.CG.15Manganlotharmeyerite
Ca(Mn
3+
 
,Zn)
 
2
[AsO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2(OH,H
 
2
O)
8.CG.15Schneebergite
(Bi
3+
 
,Ca)(Co,Ni,Fe
3+
 
)
 
2
[AsO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2(OH,H
 
2
O)
8.CG.15Nickelschneebergite
(Bi
3+
 
,Ca)(Ni,Co,Fe
3+
 
)
 
2
[AsO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2(OH,H
 
2
O)
8.CG.20Gartrellite
Pb(Cu,Fe
3+
 
,Zn)
 
2
[AsO
 
4
,SO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2(H
 
2
O,OH)
8.CG.20Helmutwinklerite
Pb(Zn,Cu)
 
2
[AsO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
8.CG.20Zincgartrellite
Pb(Zn,Fe
3+
 
,Cu)
 
2
[AsO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2(H
 
2
O,OH)
8.CG.20Rappoldite
Pb(Co,Ni,Zn)
 
2
[AsO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
8.CG.20Phosphogartrellite
Pb(Cu,Fe
3+
 
)
 
2
[PO
 
4
,AsO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2(H
 
2
O,OH)
8.CG.20Lukrahnite
Ca(Cu,Zn)(Fe
3+
 
,Zn)[AsO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2(H
 
2
O,OH)
8.CG.25Pottsite
HPbBi(VO
 
4
)
 
2
·2H
 
2
O
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
19.12.15Frondelite
Mn
2+
 
Fe
3+
4
[(OH)
 
5
|(PO
 
4
)
 
3
]
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
19.12.41Jahnsite-(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 Messelite

Other Languages:
German:Messelit
Russian:Месселит
Spanish:Messelita

Other Information

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 Messelite

Reference List:Muthmann (1890) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie: 17: 93.

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.: 732.

American Mineralogist (1955): 40: 828-833.

American Mineralogist (1959): 44: 465.

Articles/Blogs about Messelite

Internet Links for Messelite

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    Localities for Messelite

    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.
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    (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.
    Austria
     
    • Carinthia
      • Koralpe Mts
        • Moschkogel Mt. - Weinebene area
          • Brandrücken
    		G. Niedermayr, I. Praetzel: Mineralien Kärntens, 1995
    Brazil
     
    • Southeast Region
      • Minas Gerais
        • Doce valley
          • Galiléia
            • Laranjeiras
    		No reference listed
    [MinRec 12:69]
    Canada
     
    • Yukon Territory
      • Dawson Mining District
    		MinRec 23:4-47
    [Mineralogical Record Vol 23 No.4 pp27]
    Czech Republic
     
    • Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen)
      • Central Bohemia Region
    		Duda, Rejl, Slivka: "Mineralien", 1991
    France
     
    • Languedoc-Roussillon
      • Aude
        • Carcassonne
          • Mas-Cabardès
            • Salsigne
    		Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols: "Handbook of Mineralogy", Vol. 4, 2000
    Germany
     
    • Bavaria
      • Upper Palatinate
        • Oberpfälzer Wald
          • Vohenstrauß
            • Waidhaus
              • Hagendorf
    		http://www.berthold-weber.de/h_miner.htm
    • Hesse
      • Darmstadt
        • Messel
    		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.: 732; American Mineralogist (1955): 40: 829; Aufschluss: 1980(6), 192-204.
    Aufschluss 1980(6), 192-204
    Japan
     
    • Honshu Island
      • Kanto Region
        • Ibaraki Prefecture
          • Chiyoda-machi
    		Matsubara, S. & Kato, A. (1980) Koubutsugaku Zasshi, 14, 269-286.
    Russia
     
    • Northern Region
      • Murmanskaja Oblast'
        • Kola Peninsula
    Spain
     
    • Catalonia
      • Lleida (Lérida)
        • Cerdanya
    		Mineralogistes de Catalunya (1997) VII(1):22-33
    Sweden
     
    • Södermanland
      • Haninge
    		No reference listed
    USA
     
    • Connecticut
      • Middlesex Co.
        • East Hampton
    		Januzzi, 1976. Mineral Localities of CT and Southeastern NY State
    • Maine
      • Oxford Co.
        • Newry
    		No reference listed
        • Paris
    		SEM-EDS
    • New Hampshire
      • Cheshire Co.
        • Alstead
    		www.dakotamatrix.com
      • Grafton Co.
        • Groton
    		No reference listed
    Journal of Pegmatology vol. 1, no. 1
    • North Carolina
      • Cleveland Co.
        • Kings Mountain District
    		To many to list here. If interested, we can e-mail them to you.
      • Gaston Co.
        • Bessemer City
    		No reference listed
    • South Dakota
      • Custer Co.
        • Custer District
          • Fourmile
    		Rocks & Minerals: 60: 117.
          • Pringle
            • Cicero Peak
    		Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols: "Handbook of Mineralogy", Vol. 4, 2000
      • Pennington Co.
        • Keystone District
          • Glendale
    		Rocks & Minerals: 60: 116.
    R&M 75:3 pp 156-169
          • Keystone
    		R&M 75:3 pp 156-169
    R&M 75:3 pp 156-169
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
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