Mindat Logo
Home Page Log In Messageboard The Mindat Directory
Register Search Pages Mineral Chatroom The Mindat Store

Sicklerite

This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
Big Photo

Stewart Mine (MS 6162; Stewart Lithia mine), Tourmaline Queen Mountain (Pala Mtn; Queen Mtn), Pala, Pala District, San Diego Co., California, USA
© 2006 SLR

Show Sicklerite Photos (2)



Formula:
Li
 
1-x
(Mn
3+
x
Mn
2+
1-x
)PO
 
4
System:OrthorhombicColour:Dark brown to ...
Hardness:4
Member of:Triphylite Group
Name:Named after the Sickler family, mineral collectors of Pala, San Diego County, California (USA).


Triphylite Group Ferrisicklerite-Sicklerite Series

Occurs only as an alteration product of Triphylite and Lithiophilite, commonly as rims around partly altered masses or crystals of the latter species.

Classification of Sicklerite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:7/A.02-40
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:38.1.4.2
Dana 8th edition ID:38.1.4.2

38 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, AND VANADATES
1 : ABXO4
Hey's CIM Ref.:19.1.11

19 : Phosphates
1 : Phosphates of the alkali metals
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-3645.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Type Occurrence of Sicklerite

Type Locality:Stewart Mine (MS 6162; Stewart Lithia mine), Tourmaline Queen Mountain (Pala Mtn; Queen Mtn), Pala, Pala District, San Diego Co., California, USA
Year of Discovery:1912
Geological Setting of type material:Lithium-bearing pegmatite.
Associated Minerals at type locality:
StewartiteSalmonsitePhosphosideriteHureaulite

Physical Properties of Sicklerite

Lustre:Dull
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Opaque
Colour:Dark brown to yellow-brown
Streak:Light yellow-brown, brown, reddish brown
Hardness (Mohs):4
Cleavage:Distinct/Good
On {100}, good.
Density (measured):3.2 - 3.4 g/cm3

Crystallography of Sicklerite

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Cell Parameters:a = 5.94Å, b = 10.06Å, c = 4.79Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.59 : 1 : 0.476
Unit Cell Volume:V 286.23 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Optical Data of Sicklerite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.715 - 1.740 nβ = 1.735 - 1.770 nγ = 1.745 - 1.830
2V:Measured: 60° to 90°, Calculated: 68° to 74°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.030 - 0.090

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:High
Dispersion:relatively strong
Pleochroism:Visible
Comments:X = a = Dark reddish
Y = Lighter reddish
Z = Very light reddish

Chemical Properties of Sicklerite

Formula:
Li
 
1-x
(Mn
3+
x
Mn
2+
1-x
)PO
 
4
Essential elements:Li, Mn, O, P
All elements listed in formula:Li, Mn, O, P

Relationship of Sicklerite to other Species

Series:Forms a series with Ferrisicklerite (see here)
Member of:Triphylite Group
Other Members of Group:

- +
Ferrisicklerite
Li
 
1-x
(Fe
3+
x
Fe
2+
1-x
)PO
 
4
Karenwebberite
Na(Fe
2+
 
,Mn
2+
 
)PO
 
4
Lithiophilite
LiMn
2+
 
PO
 
4
Natrophilite
NaMn
2+
 
PO
 
4
Triphylite
LiFe
2+
 
PO
 
4
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
8.AB.05Farringtonite
Mg
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
8.AB.10Ferrisicklerite
Li
 
1-x
(Fe
3+
x
Fe
2+
1-x
)PO
 
4
8.AB.10Heterosite
(Fe
3+
 
,Mn
3+
 
)PO
 
4
8.AB.10Lithiophilite
LiMn
2+
 
PO
 
4
8.AB.10Natrophilite
NaMn
2+
 
PO
 
4
8.AB.10Purpurite
(Mn
3+
 
,Fe
3+
 
)PO
 
4
8.AB.10Simferite
Li(Mg,Fe
3+
 
,Mn
3+
 
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
8.AB.10Triphylite
LiFe
2+
 
PO
 
4
8.AB.10Karenwebberite
Na(Fe
2+
 
,Mn
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.30Lammerite-β
Cu
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
8.AB.35Mcbirneyite
Cu
 
3
(VO
 
4
)
 
2
8.AB.35Stranskiite
Zn
 
2
Cu(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
8.AB.35Pseudolyonsite
Cu
 
3
(VO
 
4
)
 
2
8.AB.40Lyonsite
Cu
 
3
Fe
 
4
(VO
 
4
)
 
6
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
19.1.1Lithiophosphate
Li
 
3
PO
 
4
19.1.2Olympite
Na
 
5
Li(PO
 
4
)
 
2
19.1.3Nahpoite
Na
 
2
HPO
 
4
19.1.4Dorfmanite
Na
 
2
HPO
 
4
 · 2H
 
2
O
19.1.5Nalipoite
NaLi
 
2
PO
 
4
19.1.6Stercorite
Na(NH
 
4
)HPO
 
4
 · 4H
 
2
O
19.1.7Archerite
(K,NH
 
4
)(H
 
2
PO
 
4
)
19.1.8Biphosphammite
(NH
 
4
,K)(H
 
2
PO
 
4
)
19.1.9Phosphammite
(NH
 
4
)
 
2
(HPO
 
4
)
19.1.10Lithiophilite
LiMn
2+
 
PO
 
4
19.1.12Ferrisicklerite
Li
 
1-x
(Fe
3+
x
Fe
2+
1-x
)PO
 
4
19.1.13Triphylite
LiFe
2+
 
PO
 
4
19.1.14Tavorite
LiFe
3+
 
(PO
 
4
)(OH)
19.1.15Marićite
NaFe
2+
 
(PO
 
4
)
Related Minerals - Dana Grouping):

- +
38.1.4.1Ferrisicklerite
Li
 
1-x
(Fe
3+
x
Fe
2+
1-x
)PO
 
4
38.1.4.3Simferite
Li(Mg,Fe
3+
 
,Mn
3+
 
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2

Other Names for Sicklerite

Synonyms:
MangansickleriteMn-Sicklerite
Other Languages:
French:Pseudohétérosite
German:Sicklerit
Simplified Chinese:磷锂锰矿
锰磷锂锰矿
Spanish:Sicklerita

Other Information

Other Information:Soluble in acids.

Alters to the Heterosite-Purpurite Series by oxidation of the Mn'' and leaching of the Li.
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 Sicklerite

Reference List:

- +
Lacroix, A. (1910) Minéralogie de la France et des ses colonies, Paris. 5 volumes: vol. 4: 469 (as Pseudohétérosite).

Schaller (1912) Journal of the Washington Academy of Sciences: 2: 143.

Berggren analysis in: Mason (1941) Geologiska Föeningens I Stockholm. Förhandlinger, Stockholm: 63: 117.

American Mineralogist (1941): 26: 681.

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.: 672-673.

Bulletin de la Société française de Minéralogie et de Cristallographie (1976): 99: 274.

Internet Links for Sicklerite

Search Engines:
  • Look for Sicklerite on Google
  • Look for Sicklerite images on Google
    • External Links:
  • Look for Sicklerite on Webmineral
  • Look for Sicklerite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Sicklerite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Sicklerite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
    • Mineral Dealers:
  • Search for - Sicklerite - on e-Rocks Mineral Sales & Auctions
  • High-end worldwide specimens & outstanding customer service
  • Wilensky Fine Minerals
  • Fabre Minerals - search for Sicklerite specimens
  • Rare and Unusual minerals at Mineralogical Research Company
  • Sicklerite specimens for sale - minfind.com
  • rare and unusual minerals mainly crystallized
  • SpiriferMinerals.com - high quality low prices
  • Top quality minerals from Kristalle of California
  • Find Sicklerite on www.crystalclassics.co.uk
  • Fine and rare minerals from mintreasure.com
  • The Arkenstone - Fine Minerals
    • Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs

    • Localities for Sicklerite

    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.
    Argentina
     
    • San Luis
      • Coronel Pringles Department
        • Totoral pegmatitic field
    		OYARZABAL, J. and GALLISKI, M.A.. Hureaulite, Mn+25(H2O)4[PO3(OH)]2[PO4]2, from different deposits of the Totoral pegmatitic field, San Luis. Rev. Asoc. Geol. Argent. [online]. 2007, vol.62, n.2, pp. 210-216.
    Australia
     
    • Western Australia
      • Port Hedland Shire
        • Wallareenya Station
    		Pegmatites of Western Australia; Mark I Jacobson, Mark A Calderwood, Benjamin A Grguric; Hesperian Press, Perth, 2007
    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: 673.; Mason, B. & Dunn, P.J. (1974): An unusual occurrence of Bobierrite at Wodgina, Western Australia. Mineralogical Record 5 (6): 265
    China
     
    • Xinjiang Autonomous Region
      • Yili Hasake Autonomous Prefecture (Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture)
        • Aletai Prefecture (Altay Prefecture)
          • Fuyun Co. (Koktokay Co.)
    		Zhang Rubo (1981): Chinese Science Bulletin 26(4).
          • Qinghe Co. (Qinggil Co.; Chinggil Co.)
    		Denghong Wang, Yuchuan Chen, and Zhigang Xu (2001): Acta Geologica Sinica 80(3), 419-425
    Ma Zhesheng, Shi Nicheng, and Ye Danian (2005): Science in China, Series D (Earth Sciences), 48(5), 635-646.
    Finland
     
    • Southern Finland Region
    		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: 673.
    • Western and Inner Finland Region
      • Orivesi
        • Eräjärvi area
    		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: 673.
    Morocco
     
    • Marrakech-Tensift-El Haouz Region
      • El Kelaâ des Sraghna Province
    		Fontan, F. (1978) : Etude minéralogique et essais expérimentaux sur les phosphates de fer et de manganèse des pegmatites des Jebilet (Maroc) et des Pyrénées (France), PhD thesis, Toulouse, 272 p.
    Namibia
     
    • Erongo Region
      • Karibib District
        • Okongava Ost Farm 72
    		Keller, P. (1991): The occurrence of Li-Fe-Mn phosphate minerals in granitic pegmatites of Namibia. Communs. Geol. Surv. Namibia, 7, 21-34.
    • Karas Region
      • Bethanie District
    		Bezing, L. von, Bode, R. & Jahn, S. (2008): Namibia Minerals and Localities. Edition Schloss Freudenstein, Bode Verlag GmbH, Haltern: 393 (in English)
    Norway
     
    • Nordland
      • Meløy
        • Holandsfjord
    		Neumann, H. (1985): Norges Mineraler. Norges geologiske Undersøkelse Skrifter 68, p. 115
    Portugal
     
    • Guarda District
      • Sabugal
        • Bendada
    		Schnorrer-Köhler (1991), Mineral Occurrences.
    • Viana do Castelo District
      • Ponte da Barca
        • Touvedo
    		Self-find by Nuno Afonso; optical and XRD analysed
    • Viseu District
      • Mangualde
    Russia
     
    • Southern Siberia
      • Sayan Mts
        • Eastern Sayan
    		Dmitriy Belakovskiy
    Rwanda
     
    • Western Province
      • Gatumba District
    		Bertossa, A., 1967. Inventaire des minéraux du Rwanda. Bulletin du Service Géologique de Rwanda 4, 25-45.; Daltry, V.D.C. and O. von Knorring (1998) Type-Mineralogy of Rwanda with Particular Reference to the Buranga Pegmatite. Geologica Belgica 1:1-9
    Sweden
     
    • Västerbotten
      • Skellefteå
    		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: 673.
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • Yavapai Co.
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 253, 370; Jahns, Richard H. (1952), Pegmatite Deposits of the White Picacho District, Maricopa and Yavapai Counties, Arizona, Arizona Bureau of Mines Bull. 162.
    Am Min 67:97-113
    • California
    		San Diego Natural History Museum
    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: 673.
          • Pala
            • Chief Mountain
    		Mineralogical Record (2002): 33(5): 388.
            • Hiriart Mountain (Hariat Mtn; Harriot Mtn; Heriart Mtn; Heriot Mtn; Hiriat Hill)
    		Dana 6:A3:72.
            • Tourmaline Queen Mountain (Pala Mtn; Queen Mtn)
    		Journal of the Washington Academy of Science (1912): 2: 145.
    • Colorado
      • Larimer Co.
        • Crystal Mountain Pegmatite District (Storm Mountain District)
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) E.B. Eckels
        • Purple Haze and Rainbows End claims
    		Mineralogical Record 22:382
    • Connecticut
      • Fairfield Co.
        • Town of Ridgefield
          • Branchville
    		Januzzi, 1976. Mineral Localities of CT and Southeastern NY State; Januzzi (1994) Mineral Data Book
    • New Hampshire
      • Cheshire Co.
        • Marlow
    		Fred E. Davis collection 2007
      • Grafton Co.
        • Alexandria
    		Rocks & Min.: 17:250. Morrill, P., 1960, New Hampshire Mines and Mineral Localities.; Rocks & Minerals (2005) 80:242-261 New Hampshire Mineral Locality Index
      • Rockingham Co.
        • Raymond
    		Francis, C. A. (1985): Minerals of the Chandler Mine, A Zoned Lithium Rich Pegmatite (Rocks and Minerals, 60:263-264) ; Rocks & Minerals (2005) 80:242-261 New Hampshire Mineral Locality Index
    • South Dakota
      • Custer Co.
        • Custer District
          • Berne
    		Rocks & Minerals: 75(3): 156-169.
          • Custer
    		Rocks & Minerals: 75(3): 156-169.
    SDSMT Bull 18 Roberts and Rapp "Mineralogy of the Black Hills"
    SDSMT Bull 18 Roberts and Rapp "Mineralogy of the Black Hills"
    Rocks & Minerals: 75(3): 156-169.
    Rocks & Minerals: 75(3): 156-169.
    Rocks & Minerals: 75(3): 156-169.
    Rocks & Minerals: 75(3): 156-169.
    Rocks & Minerals: 75(3): 156-169.
          • Fourmile
    		Rocks & Minerals: 75(3): 156-169.
    Rocks & Minerals: 75(3): 156-169.
    No reference listed
          • Pringle
            • Cicero Peak
    		Rocks & Minerals: 75(3): 156-169.
      • Pennington Co.
        • Hill City District
    		Rocks & Minerals: 75(3): 156-169.
        • Keystone District
    		SDSMT Bull 18 Roberts and Rapp "Mineralogy of the Black Hills"
          • Glendale
    		SDSMT Bull 18 Roberts and Rapp "Mineralogy of the Black Hills"
          • Keystone
    		Rocks & Minerals: 75(3): 156-169.
    Rocks & Minerals: 75(3): 156-169.
    Rocks & Minerals: 75(3): 156-169.
    Rocks & Minerals: 75(3): 156-169.
    Rocks & Minerals: 75(3): 156-169.
    • Utah
      • Juab Co.
        • East Tintic Mts
    		UGMS Bull 117 Minerals and Mineral Localities of Utah
    • Wisconsin
      • Florence Co.
        • Fern
    		The Mineralogy and Geochemistry of the Animikie Red Ace Pegmatite, Florence County, Wisconsin. Alexander U. Falster, Wm. B. Simmons, and Karen L. Webber, Recent Research Developments in Mineralogy, 1(1996)
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Search Google
     
    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2013. Site Map. Locality, mineral & photograph data are the copyright of the individuals who submitted them. Further information contact the Site hosted & developed by Jolyon Ralph. Mindat.org is an online information resource dedicated to providing free mineralogical information to all. Mindat relies on the contributions of hundreds of members and supporters. Mindat does not offer minerals for sale. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register.
    Current server date and time: 15th Apr 2013 17:49:47
    Mineral and Locality Search
    Mineral:
    and/or Locality:
    Options
    Fade toolbar when not in focusFix toolbar to bottom of page
    Hide Social Media Links
    Slideshow frame delay seconds