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Natrophilite

Formula:
NaMn
2+
 
[PO
 
4
]
System:OrthorhombicColour:Deep wine-yellow
Hardness:4½ - 5
Name:From NATRium (Latin for sodium) and the Greek φίλος = "a friend" in allusion to its composition containing significant sodium.
This page provides mineralogical data about Natrophilite.

Classification of Natrophilite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:7/A.02-80
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:8.AB.10

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
A : Phosphates, etc. without additional anions, without H2O
B : With medium-sized cations
Dana 7th edition ID:38.1.1.3
Dana 8th edition ID:38.1.1.3

38 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, AND VANADATES
1 : ABXO4
Hey's CIM Ref.:19.12.3

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

Type Locality:Branchville Mica mine (Branchville Quarry; Fillow Quarry), Branchville, Fairfield Co., Connecticut, USA
Year of Discovery:1890

Physical Properties of Natrophilite

Lustre:Sub-Adamantine, Resinous, Pearly
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent, Translucent
Comment:Bright; somewhat pearly on the {100} cleavage.
Colour:Deep wine-yellow
Hardness (Mohs):4½ - 5
Cleavage:Distinct/Good
On {100}, good; on {010}, indistinct; on {021} interrupted.
Fracture:Conchoidal
Density (measured):3.41 g/cm3
Density (calculated):3.47 g/cm3

Crystallography of Natrophilite

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Cell Parameters:a = 10.52Å, b = 4.98Å, c = 6.31Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 2.112 : 1 : 1.267
Unit Cell Volume:V 330.58 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:Crystals rare; indistinct, and resembling Triphylite. Usually as cleavable masses or granular.
Comment:Crystal structure related to, but not identicval to, that of the Triphylite-Lithiophilite Series.

Optical Data of Natrophilite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.671 nβ = 1.674 nγ = 1.684
2V:Measured: 70° to 80°, Calculated: 58°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.013

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

Chemical Properties of Natrophilite

Formula:
NaMn
2+
 
[PO
 
4
]
Essential elements:Mn, Na, O, P
All elements listed in formula:Mn, Na, O, P

Relationship of Natrophilite to other Species

Related to:
  • Triphylite Group
    • Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):
    8.AB.05Farringtonite
    Mg
     
    3
    		[PO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    8.AB.10Ferrisicklerite
    (Fe
    3+
     
    		,LiMn
    2+
     
    		)[PO
     
    4
    		]
    8.AB.10Heterosite
    (Fe
    3+
     
    		,Mn
    3+
     
    		)[PO
     
    4
    		]
    8.AB.10Lithiophilite
    LiMn
    2+
     
    		[PO
     
    4
    		]
    8.AB.10Purpurite
    (Mn
    3+
     
    		,Fe
    3+
     
    		)[PO
     
    4
    		]
    8.AB.10Sicklerite
    (LiMn
    2+
     
    		,Fe
    3+
     
    		)[PO
     
    4
    		]
    8.AB.10Simferite
    Li(Mg,Fe
    2+
     
    		,Mn
    2+
     
    		)[PO
     
    4
    		]
    8.AB.10Triphylite
    LiFe
    2+
     
    		[PO
     
    4
    		]
    8.AB.15Sarcopside
    (Fe
    2+
     
    		,Mn
    2+
     
    		,Mg)
     
    3
    		[PO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    8.AB.15Chopinite
    (Mg,Fe
    2+
     
    		)
     
    3
    		[PO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    8.AB.20Beusite
    (Mn
    2+
     
    		,Fe
    2+
     
    		,Ca,Mg)
     
    3
    		[PO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    8.AB.20Graftonite
    (Fe
    2+
     
    		,Mn
    2+
     
    		,Ca)
     
    3
    		[PO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    8.AB.25Xanthiosite
    Ni
     
    3
    		[AsO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    8.AB.30Lammerite
    Cu
     
    3
    		[AsO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    8.AB.35Mcbirneyite
    Cu
     
    3
    		(VO
     
    4
    		)
     
    2
    8.AB.35Stranskiite
    (Zn,Cu)
     
    3
    		[AsO
     
    4
    		]
     
    2
    8.AB.40Lyonsite
    Cu
     
    3
    		Fe
     
    4
    		(VO
     
    4
    		)
     
    6
    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
    19.12.4Sidorenkite
    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
    19.12.40Messelite
    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
    		]
    Related Minerals - Dana Grouping):
    38.1.1.1Triphylite
    LiFe
    2+
     
    		[PO
     
    4
    		]
    38.1.1.2Lithiophilite
    LiMn
    2+
     
    		[PO
     
    4
    		]

    Other Names for Natrophilite

    German names:
    Natrophilit
    Russian names:
    Натрофилит
    Spanish names:
    Natrophilita

    Other Information

    Other Information:Soluble in acids.
    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 Natrophilite

    Reference List:Brush and Dana (1890) American Journal of Science: 39: 205.

    Larsen, E.S. (1921) The Microscopic Determination of the Nonopaque Minerals, First edition, USGS Bulletin 679: 115.

    Byström (1943) Arkiv för Kemi, Mineralogi och Geologi, Stockholm: 17B, no. 4.

    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.: 670-671.

    Am Min 50:1096-1097

    American Mineralogist (1972): 57: 1333-1344.

    Internet Links for Natrophilite

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    Localities for Natrophilite

    (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.
    USA
     
    • Connecticut
      • Fairfield Co.
        • Branchville
    		American Mineralogist (1946): 31: 329-345; 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: 671.; Am Min 50:1096-1097
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