Phosphoferrite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Phosphoferrite
Formula:
(Fe2+,Mn2+)3(PO4)2 · 3H2O
Colour:
Colourless, pale green, reddish brown (altered); colourless to faintly tinted green in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Vitreous, Resinous
Hardness:
3 - 3½
Specific Gravity:
3 - 3.2
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
In allusion to the composition, containing PHOSPHOrus and iron (Latin = FERRum).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3199
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3199:4
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
8880a2d0-8ab8-4452-9738-7b9328ff4119
IMA Classification of Phosphoferrite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Fe2+3(PO4)2 · 3H2O
Classification of Phosphoferrite
8.CC.05
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
C : With only medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O = 1:1.5
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
C : With only medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O = 1:1.5
40.3.2.1
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
3 : A3(XO4)2·xH2O
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
3 : A3(XO4)2·xH2O
19.12.19
19 : Phosphates
12 : Phosphates of Mn
19 : Phosphates
12 : Phosphates of Mn
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Phf | 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 Phosphoferrite
Vitreous, Resinous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Comment:
Lustre ranges to sub-resinous from vitreous.
Colour:
Colourless, pale green, reddish brown (altered); colourless to faintly tinted green in transmitted light.
Hardness:
3 - 3½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Poor/Indistinct
On {010}, poor.
On {010}, poor.
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
3 - 3.2 g/cm3 (Measured)
Optical Data of Phosphoferrite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.663 - 1.672 nβ = 1.674 - 1.680 nγ = 1.699 - 1.700
2V:
Measured: 68° , Calculated: 66°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.036
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:
High
Dispersion:
r > v strong
Optical Extinction:
Parallel. X = a; Y = b; Z = c.
Chemistry of Phosphoferrite
Mindat Formula:
(Fe2+,Mn2+)3(PO4)2 · 3H2O
Crystallography of Phosphoferrite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pmna
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.41 Å, b = 10.02 Å, c = 8.66 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.939 : 1 : 0.864
Unit Cell V:
816.54 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Crystals octahedral with large {111}, or tabular {010}. The crystals frequently grow in parallel groupings. Massive, granular; coarsely fibrous.
Crystal Structure
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Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0009153 | Phosphoferrite | Eversheim P, Kleber W (1953) Morphologie und struktur des reddingits, P2O5*3FeO*3H2O Acta Crystallographica 6 215-216 |  | 1953 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0012680 | Phosphoferrite | Moore P B, Araki T (1976) A mixed-valence solid-solution series: Crystal structures of phosphoferrite, Fe3(H2O)3[PO4]2, and kryzhanovskite, Fe3(OH)3[PO4]2 Inorganic Chemistry 15 316-321 | 1976 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.18 Å | (100) |
| 2.724 Å | (80) |
| 4.25 Å | (70) |
| 2.639 Å | (70) |
| 2.408 Å | (70) |
| 2.222 Å | (70) |
| 1.615 Å | (70) |
Comments:
Hagendorf, Germany.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| 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] |
Type Occurrence of Phosphoferrite
Co-Type Localities:
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 150230.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Pegmatite
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Phosphoferrite
Other Language Names for Phosphoferrite
Relationship of Phosphoferrite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
| Correianevesite | Fe2+Mn2+2(PO4)2 · 3H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
| Garyansellite | (Mg,Fe)3(PO4)2(OH,O) · 1.5H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
| Kryzhanovskite | (Fe3+,Mn2+)3(PO4)2(OH,H2O)3 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
| Landesite | Mn2+3-xFe3+x(PO4)2(OH)x · (3-x)H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
| Reddingite | (Mn2+,Fe2+)3(PO4)2 · 3H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pmna |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 18 photos of Phosphoferrite associated with Ludlamite | Fe2+3(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 6 photos of Phosphoferrite associated with Vivianite | Fe2+Fe2+2(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 2 photos of Phosphoferrite associated with Perloffite | Ba(Mn2+,Fe2+)2Fe3+2(PO4)3(OH)3 |
| 2 photos of Phosphoferrite associated with Kryzhanovskite | (Fe3+,Mn2+)3(PO4)2(OH,H2O)3 |
| 2 photos of Phosphoferrite associated with Hureaulite | Mn2+5(PO3OH)2(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 1 photo of Phosphoferrite associated with Triplite | Mn2+2(PO4)F |
| 1 photo of Phosphoferrite associated with Graftonite-(Ca) | CaFe2+2(PO4)2 |
| 1 photo of Phosphoferrite associated with Fluorapatite | Ca5(PO4)3F |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.CC. | Correianevesite | Fe2+Mn2+2(PO4)2 · 3H2O |
| 8.CC.05 | Garyansellite | (Mg,Fe)3(PO4)2(OH,O) · 1.5H2O |
| 8.CC.05 | Kryzhanovskite | (Fe3+,Mn2+)3(PO4)2(OH,H2O)3 |
| 8.CC.05 | Landesite | Mn2+3-xFe3+x(PO4)2(OH)x · (3-x)H2O |
| 8.CC.05 | Reddingite | (Mn2+,Fe2+)3(PO4)2 · 3H2O |
| 8.CC.10 | Kaatialaite | Fe(H2AsO4)3 · 5H2O |
| 8.CC.15 | Leogangite | Cu10(AsO4)4(SO4)(OH)6 · 8H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in acids.
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 Phosphoferrite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3199.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
References for Phosphoferrite
Localities for Phosphoferrite
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.
Argentina | |
| Roda-Robles et al. (2012) |
Australia | |
| |
| Eagle et al. (2015) |
| Eagle et al. (2015) |
| Eagle et al. (2015) | |
Brazil | |
| Cassedanne et al. (1982) |
| King et al. (1989) |
| Cassedanne et al. (1981) |
China | |
| Rao et al. (2017) |
France | |
| FONTAN F (1976) |
| Inventaire Minéralogique de la France ... |
Germany (TL) | |
| Wittern (2001) |
| DILL et al. (2008) +1 other reference |
| Dill et al. (2011) |
| Laubmann +3 other references | |
| Min Mag 43 (1980) +1 other reference | |
| Dana 7:II:770. |
Italy | |
| VIGNOLA et al. (2007) |
| Dana 7:II:771. |
| Vignola et al. (2018) |
Poland | |
| Pieczka A. |
| Włodek et al. (2015) |
| Łodziński M. & Sitarz M. 2008: Chemical and Spectroscopic Characterization of Some Phosphates Accessory Minerals from Pegmatites of the Sowie Mts (Owles Mts) | |
| Pieczka et al. (2015) +1 other reference | |
Portugal | |
| Martins et al. (2011) |
| Neiva et al. (2000) |
| |
| Pedro Alves collection. Characterized ... |
USA | |
| Mineral News (1995) +1 other reference |
| Moore (1973) |
| Campbell et al. (1985) |
| Mineralogical Record: 17: 245 +2 other references |
| Campbell et al. (1985) |
| Smith et al. (2000) |
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Dan Patch Mine, Keystone, Keystone Mining District, Pennington County, South Dakota, USA