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Phosphoferrite

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Big Photo

Hagendorf South Pegmatite (Cornelia Mine; Hagendorf South Open Cut), Hagendorf, Waidhaus, Vohenstrauß, Oberpfälzer Wald, Upper Palatinate, Bavaria, Germany
© Elmar Lackner

Show Phosphoferrite Photos (14)



Formula:
(Fe
2+
 
,Mn
2+
 
)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 3H
 
2
O
System:OrthorhombicColour:Colourless, pale green, ...
Hardness:3 - 3½
Member of:Phosphoferrite Group
Name:In allusion to the composition, containing PHOSPHOrus and iron (Latin = FERRum).


Phosphoferrite Group, Phosphoferrite-Reddingite Series.

Classification of Phosphoferrite

IMA status:Approved
Strunz 8th edition ID:7/C.08-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID: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
Dana 8th edition ID:40.3.2.1

40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
3 : A3(XO4)2·xH2O
Hey's CIM Ref.:19.12.19

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

Co-type Localities:Hühnerkobel Mt., Rabenstein, Zwiesel, Bavarian Forest, Lower Bavaria, Bavaria, Germany
Hagendorf North Pegmatite (Meixner Feldspar Pit), Hagendorf, Waidhaus, Vohenstrauß, Oberpfälzer Wald, Upper Palatinate, Bavaria, Germany
Year of Discovery:1920
Geological Setting of type material:Pegmatite
Associated Minerals at type locality:
VivianiteTriploiditeLudlamite

Physical Properties of Phosphoferrite

Lustre:Vitreous, Resinous
Diaphaneity (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 (Mohs):3 - 3½
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Poor/Indistinct
On {010}, poor.
Fracture:Irregular/Uneven
Density (measured):3 - 3.2 g/cm3

Crystallography of Phosphoferrite

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:Pmna {P2/m 2/n 21/a}
Cell Parameters:a = 9.41Å, b = 10.02Å, c = 8.66Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.939 : 1 : 0.864
Unit Cell Volume: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.

Optical Data of Phosphoferrite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.672 nβ = 1.680 nγ = 1.700
2V:Measured: 68° , Calculated: 66°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.028

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

Chemical Properties of Phosphoferrite

Formula:
(Fe
2+
 
,Mn
2+
 
)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 3H
 
2
O
Essential elements:Fe, H, O, P
All elements listed in formula:Fe, H, Mn, O, P

Relationship of Phosphoferrite to other Species

Series:Forms a series with Reddingite (see here)
Member of:Phosphoferrite Group
Other Members of Group:

- +
Garyansellite
(Mg,Fe)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH,O) · 1.5H
 
2
O
Kryzhanovskite
(Fe
3+
 
,Mn
2+
 
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH,H
 
2
O)
 
3
Landesite
Mn
2+
3-x
Fe
3+
x
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
x
 · (3-x)H
 
2
O
Reddingite
(Mn,Fe)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 3H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
8.CC.05Garyansellite
(Mg,Fe)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH,O) · 1.5H
 
2
O
8.CC.05Kryzhanovskite
(Fe
3+
 
,Mn
2+
 
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH,H
 
2
O)
 
3
8.CC.05Landesite
Mn
2+
3-x
Fe
3+
x
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
x
 · (3-x)H
 
2
O
8.CC.05Reddingite
(Mn,Fe)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 3H
 
2
O
8.CC.10Kaatialaite
Fe(H
 
2
AsO
 
4
)
 
3
 · 5H
 
2
O
8.CC.15Leogangite
Cu
 
10
(AsO
 
4
)
 
4
(SO
 
4
)(OH)
 
6
 · 8H
 
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
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
19.12.3Natrophilite
NaMn
2+
 
PO
 
4
19.12.4Sidorenkite
Na
 
3
Mn
2+
 
(CO
 
3
)(PO
 
4
)
19.12.5Niahite
(NH
 
4
)(Mn
2+
 
,Mg)(PO
 
4
) · H
 
2
O
19.12.6Robertsite
Ca
 
3
Mn
3+
4
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
6
 · 3H
 
2
O
19.12.7Pararobertsite
Ca
 
2
Mn
3+
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
O
 
2
 · 3H
 
2
O
19.12.8Sinkankasite
H
 
2
Mn
2+
 
Al(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH) · 6H
 
2
O
19.12.9Mangangordonite
Mn
2+
 
Al
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
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
(PO
 
4
)(OH)
19.12.13Triploidite
(Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)(OH)
19.12.14Lipscombite
(Fe
2+
 
,Mn
2+
 
)Fe
3+
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
19.12.15Frondelite
Mn
2+
 
Fe
3+
4
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
5
19.12.16Rockbridgeite
Fe
2+
 
Fe
3+
4
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
5
19.12.17Kryzhanovskite
(Fe
3+
 
,Mn
2+
 
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH,H
 
2
O)
 
3
19.12.18Landesite
Mn
2+
3-x
Fe
3+
x
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
x
 · (3-x)H
 
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
 
4
)
 
2
(HPO
 
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
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
19.12.25Pseudolaueite
Mn
2+
 
Fe
3+
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
19.12.26Strunzite
Mn
2+
 
Fe
3+
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
19.12.27Stewartite
Mn
2+
 
Fe
3+
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
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}(PO
 
4
)
 
12
(OH)
 
2
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+
 
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH) · 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)
{Ca}{Mn
2+
 
}{Fe
2+
2
}{Fe
3+
2
}(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
19.12.42Jahnsite-(CaMnMn)
{Ca}{Mn
2+
 
}{Mn
2+
2
}{Fe
3+
2
}(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
19.12.43Jahnsite-(CaMnMg)
{Ca}{Mn
2+
 
}{(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)
 
2
}{Fe
3+
2
}(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
19.12.44Keckite
CaMn
2+
 
Fe
3+
2
Fe
3+
2
(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
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
12
19.12.47Zodacite
Ca
 
4
Mn
2+
 
Fe
3+
4
(PO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
4
 · 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
(PO
 
4
)
 
24
(F,OH)
 
8
19.12.52Attakolite
(Ca,Sr)Mn(Al,Fe)
 
4
(HPO
 
4
,PO
 
4
)
 
3
(SiO
 
4
,PO
 
4
)(OH)
 
4
19.12.53Arrojadite-(KFe)
{KNa}{Fe
2+
 
◻}{Ca}{Na
 
2
◻}{Fe
2+
13
}{Al}(PO
 
4
)
 
11
(HPO
 
4
)(OH)
 
2
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(PO
 
4
)(OH)
 
2
 · H
 
2
O
19.12.56Ernstite
(Mn
2+
 
,Fe
3+
 
)Al(PO
 
4
)(OH,O)
 
2
 · H
 
2
O
19.12.57Childrenite
(Fe
2+
 
,Mn
2+
 
)Al(PO
 
4
)(OH)
 
2
 · 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)
{Ca}{Mn
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
 
5
Be
 
4
(PO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
4
 · 6H
 
2
O
19.12.65Samuelsonite
(Ca,Ba)Ca
 
8
Fe
2+
2
Mn
2+
2
Al
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
10
(OH)
 
2

Other Names for Phosphoferrite

Synonyms:
Iron-ReddingiteReddingite (of Steinmetz)
Other Languages:
German:Phosphoferrit
Italian:Fosfoferrite
Russian:Фосфоферрит

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 Phosphoferrite

Reference List:

- +
Laubmann and Steinmetz (1920) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 55: 569.

Steinmetz (1926) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 64: 405 (as Reddingite).

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.: 727-729.

Moore, P.B. (1971): The Fe2+3(H2O)n(PO4)2 homologous series: crystal-chemical relations and oxidized equivalents. American Mineralogist 56, 1-17.

Moore, P.B. (1974): Complete mixed valence solid solution series in Fe32+(H20)3(PO4)2 (phosphoferrite) Fe33+(OH)3(PO4)2 (kryzhanovskite). Nature 251, 305-306.

Moore, P.B.; Araki, T. (1976): Mixed-valence solid-solution series. Crystal structures of phosphoferrite, Fe32+(H2O)3[PO4]2, and kryzhanovskite, Fe33+(OH)3[PO4]2. Inorganic Chemistry 15, 316-321.

Mineralogical Magazine (1980): 43: 789-795.

Internet Links for Phosphoferrite

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    • Localities for Phosphoferrite

    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.
    Hide Locality List
    (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.
    Australia
     
    • South Australia
      • Flinders Ranges
        • South Flinders Ranges
          • Martins Well
    Brazil
     
    • Minas Gerais
      • Doce valley
        • Conselheiro Pena
    		Canadian Mlneralogist Vol. 20, pp. 87-89 (1982)
        • Divino das Laranjeiras
    		[MinRec 20:394]
        • Galiléia
          • Laranjeiras
    		[MInRec 12:71]
    France
     
    • Midi-Pyrénées
      • Ariège
        • Auzat
    		Inventaire Minéralogique de la France Ariège T.2 éditions BRGM
    Germany
     
    • Bavaria
      • Lower Bavaria
        • Bavarian Forest
          • Zwiesel
            • Rabenstein
    		Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", 2001
      • Upper Palatinate
        • Oberpfälzer Wald
          • Vohenstrauß
            • Pleystein
    		DILL, H.G., MELCHER, F., GERDES, A. and WEBER, B. (2008): The origin and zoning of hypogene and supergene Fe-Mn-Mg-Sc-U-REE-Zn phosphate mineralization from the newly discovered Trutzhofmühle aplite (Hagendorf pegmatite province, Germany). Canadian Mineralogist 46, 1131-1157.
            • Waidhaus
              • Hagendorf
    		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: 729; Weiss: "Mineralfundstellen, Deutschland West", Weise (Munich), 1990; Laubmann, H. & Steinmetz, H.: Z. Krist.55, 1920, 523: "Phosphatführenbde Pegmatite des Oberpfälzer und Bayrischen Waldes.
    Min Mag 43 (1980),789; http://www.berthold-weber.de/h_miner.htm
    • North Rhine-Westphalia
      • Siegerland
        • Eiserfeld
    		Dana 7:II:770.
    Italy
     
    • Sardinia
      • Carbonia-Iglesias Province
        • Gonnesa
    		Dana 7:II:771.
    Poland
     
    • Lower Silesia (Dolnośląskie)
      • Sowie Mts
    		Pieczka A., Łobos K., Sachanbiński M. 2004: The first occurence of elbaite in Poland. Mineralogia Polonica, vol. 35, 3-14
    Portugal
     
    • Viseu District
      • Mangualde
    USA
     
    • Maine
      • Oxford Co.
        • Greenwood
          • Uncle Tom Mountain
    		Mineral News (1995) 11:2 pp1,2,5
    • New Hampshire
      • Grafton Co.
        • Groton
    		Mineralogical Record (1973) 4:103-130
    • South Dakota
      • Custer Co.
        • Custer District
          • Custer
    		Rocks & Min.:60:117.
          • Fourmile
    		Mineralogical Record: 17: 245; Mineralogical Record: 17: 251; Rocks & Minerals: 60: 117.
      • Pennington Co.
        • Keystone District
          • Glendale
    		Rocks & Minerals: 60: 116.
          • Keystone
    		R&M 75:3 pp 156-169
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