Afmite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Afmite
Formula:
Al3(OH)4(H2O)3(PO4)(PO3OH) · H2O
Colour:
Colorless to white, weathering to cream or yellowish
Lustre:
Pearly
Hardness:
1½
Specific Gravity:
2.39
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
Named after the Association Française de Microminéralogie (AFM).
Related to planerite and kobokoboite.
Structurally related to tinticite and isotypic kamarizaite.
Visually similar to matulaite and other phosphates.
Structurally related to tinticite and isotypic kamarizaite.
Visually similar to matulaite and other phosphates.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
40242
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:40242:6
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
9d8907ca-edad-4609-acbd-4872a696fb64
IMA Classification of Afmite
Approved
Approval year:
2010
First published:
2011
Type description reference:
Kampf, Anthony R., Mills, Stuart J., Rossman, George R., Steele, Ian M., Pluth, Joseph J., Favreau, Georges (2011) Afmite, Al3(OH)4(H2O)3(PO4)(PO3OH)·H2O, a new mineral from Fumade, Tarn, France: description and crystal structure. European Journal of Mineralogy, 23 (2) 269-277 doi:10.1127/0935-1221/2011/0023-2093
Classification of Afmite
8.DD.15
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
D : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4= 2:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
D : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4= 2:1
42.9.3.6
42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
9 : (AB)7(XO4)4Zq·xH2O
42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
9 : (AB)7(XO4)4Zq·xH2O
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 |
---|---|---|
Afm | 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 Afmite
Pearly
Colour:
Colorless to white, weathering to cream or yellowish
Streak:
White
Hardness:
1½ on Mohs scale
Hardness Data:
Estimated
Tenacity:
Flexible
Cleavage:
Perfect
{001} perfect, {010} and {110} good.
{001} perfect, {010} and {110} good.
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
2.39(3) g/cm3 (Measured) 2.391 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Calculated value is for empirical formula. For ideal formula it is 2.394.
Optical Data of Afmite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.554(1) nβ = 1.558(1) nγ = 1.566(1)
2V:
Measured: 70° (5), Calculated: 71°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.012
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:
Low
Pleochroism:
Not Visible
Comments:
Y ≈ a; b is at roughly equal angles (~55°) to X and Z.
Chemistry of Afmite
Mindat Formula:
Al3(OH)4(H2O)3(PO4)(PO3OH) · H2O
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Afmite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Setting:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.386(3) Å, b = 7.716(3) Å, c = 11.345(4) Å
α = 99.773(5)°, β = 91.141(6)°, γ = 115.58(5)°
α = 99.773(5)°, β = 91.141(6)°, γ = 115.58(5)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.957 : 1 : 1.47
Unit Cell V:
571.6 ų
Z:
2
Morphology:
Tablets on {001}.
Twinning:
Ubiquitously contact-twinned on {001} and also commonly twinned by rotation on [010] with {010} and {110} composition planes, forming star-like sixlings.
Comment:
Cell parameters from from Kampf et al. (2011)
Crystal Structure
Load
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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0018452 | Afmite | Kampf A R, Mills S J, Rossman G R, Steele I M, Pluth J J, Favreau G (2011) Afmite, Al3(OH)4(H2O)3(PO4)(PO3OH)*H2O,a new mineral from Fumade, Tarn, France: description and crystal structure European Journal of Mineralogy 23 269-277 | 2011 | Fumade, Tarn, France | 0 | 298 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
11.089 Å | (100) |
3.540 Å | (81) |
5.484 Å | (79) |
2.918 Å | (60) |
3.089 Å | (33) |
4.022 Å | (30) |
6.826 Å | (23) |
Comments:
Data from Kampf et al. (2011)
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Near-surface Processes | |
21 : Chemically precipitated carbonate, phosphate, iron formations | |
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 Afmite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Cockscomb aggregates of diamond-shaped tablets.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, catalogue number 55425.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
In fractures and solution cavities in shale/siltstone. The formation is thought to be largely the result of remobilisation and crystallization during low-temperature hydrothermal activity and/or weathering and ground water activity.
Reference:
Kampf, A.R., Mills, S.J., Rossman, G.R., Steele, I.M., Pluth, J.J., Favreau, G. (2011) Afmite, Al3(OH)4(H2O)3(PO4)(PO3OH)•H2O, a new mineral from Fumade, Tarn, France: description and crystal structure. European Journal of Mineralogy, 23, 269-277.
Synonyms of Afmite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
8.DD. | Bettertonite | [Al6(AsO4)3(OH)9(H2O)5] · 11H2O |
8.DD. | Penberthycroftite | [Al6(AsO4)3(OH)9(H2O)5] · 8H2O |
8.DD. | Vargite | Cu2Mn3(AsO4)2(OH)4(H2O)4 |
8.DD. | Galeaclolusite | Al6(AsO4)3(OH)9(H2O)4 · 8H2O |
8.DD.05 | Chenevixite | Cu2Fe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)4 |
8.DD.05 | Luetheite | Cu2Al2(AsO4)2(OH)4 |
8.DD.10 | Akrochordite | (Mn2+,Mg)5(AsO4)2(OH)4 · 4H2O |
8.DD.10 | Guanacoite | Cu2Mg3(AsO4)2(OH)4 · 4H2O |
8.DD.15 | Aheylite | (Fe2+,Zn)Al6(PO4)4(OH)8 · 4H2O |
8.DD.15 | Chalcosiderite | CuFe3+6(PO4)4(OH)8 · 4H2O |
8.DD.15 | Coeruleolactite | |
8.DD.15 | Faustite | ZnAl6(PO4)4(OH)8 · 4H2O |
8.DD.15 | Planerite | Al6(PO4)2(PO3OH)2(OH)8 · 4H2O |
8.DD.15 | Turquoise | CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8 · 4H2O |
8.DD.15 | UM1981-32-PO:FeH | Fe2+Fe3+6(PO4)4-x[PO3(OH)]x(OH)8 · 4H2O |
8.DD.20 | Childrenite | Fe2+Al(PO4)(OH)2 · H2O |
8.DD.20 | Eosphorite | Mn2+Al(PO4)(OH)2 · H2O |
8.DD.20 | Ernstite | (Mn2+,Fe3+)Al(PO4)(OH,O)2 · H2O |
8.DD.20 | Lefontite | Fe2Al2Be(PO4)2(OH)6 |
8.DD.25 | Kobokoboite | Al6(PO4)4(OH)6 · 11H2O |
8.DD.30 | Smamite | Ca2Sb(OH)4[H(AsO4)2] · 6H2O |
8.DD.35 | Gutsevichite | Al3(PO4)2(OH)3 · 8H2O |
8.DD.40 | Laubmannite (of Moore) | (Fe3+,Fe2+,M)8+x(OH,H2O)9(H2O)2(PO4)5, M = Fe3+, Cu2+ or other metal cation, x ~ 0.1. |
Fluorescence of Afmite
Not fluorescent.
Other Information
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 Afmite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-40242.html
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References for Afmite
Reference List:
Mills, Stuart J., Birch, William D., Kampf, Anthony R., van Wambeke, Leopold (2010) Kobokoboite, Al6(PO4)4(OH)6·11H2O, a new mineral from the Kobokobo pegmatite, Democratic Republic of the Congo. European Journal of Mineralogy, 22 (2) 305-308 doi:10.1127/0935-1221/2010/0022-2014
Williams, P. A., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2010) IMA Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification (CNMNC) CNMNC Newsletter No 4. Mineralogical Magazine, 74 (4) 797-800 doi:10.1180/s0026461x00038925
Kampf, Anthony R., Mills, Stuart J., Rossman, George R., Steele, Ian M., Pluth, Joseph J., Favreau, Georges (2011) Afmite, Al3(OH)4(H2O)3(PO4)(PO3OH)·H2O, a new mineral from Fumade, Tarn, France: description and crystal structure. European Journal of Mineralogy, 23 (2) 269-277 doi:10.1127/0935-1221/2011/0023-2093
Localities for Afmite
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).
Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality.
Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
DR Congo | |
| Mills et al (2010) +1 other reference |
France (TL) | |
| Williams et al. (2010) +1 other reference |
Poland | |
| ŁKruszewski PXRD data |
USA | |
| Kampf et al. (2011) +1 other reference |
Quick NavTopAbout AfmiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Phosphate occurrence, Fumade, Fontrieu, Castres, Tarn, Occitanie, France