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Whitlockite

Big Photo

Tip Top Mine (Tip Top pegmatite), Fourmile, Custer District, Custer Co., South Dakota, USA
© Elmar Lackner

Show Whitlockite Photos (28)
Formula:
Ca
 
9
Mg[PO
 
3
OH][PO
 
4
]
 
6
System:TrigonalColour:Colourless, gray-white, ...
Hardness:5
Name:Named after Herbert Percy Whitlock (1868-1948), Curator of Minerals, American Museum of Natural History, New York (USA).


Whitlockite Group

All non-terrestrial whitlockites are actually Merrillite (Dowty, 1977)

Classification of Whitlockite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:7/A.05-50
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:8.AC.45

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
A : Phosphates, etc. without additional anions, without H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
Dana 8th edition ID:38.3.4.1

38 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, AND VANADATES
3 : (AB)3(XO4)2
Hey's CIM Ref.:19.4.8

19 : Phosphates
4 : Phosphates of Ca
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Type Occurrence of Whitlockite

Type Locality:Palermo No. 1 Mine (Palermo #1 pegmatite), Groton, Grafton Co., New Hampshire, USA
Place of Conservation of Type Material:Harvard University 95030
Year of Discovery:1940
Geological Setting of type material:Pegmatite
Associated Minerals at type locality:
XanthoxeniteTriphyliteSideriteQuartzLudlamite
FairfielditeApatite

Occurrences of Whitlockite

Geological Setting:Pegmatites; phosphate-rock deposits.

Physical Properties of Whitlockite

Lustre:Vitreous, Resinous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent, Translucent
Colour:Colourless, gray-white, light pink, light yellow; colourless in transmitted light.
Hardness (Mohs):5
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:None Observed
Fracture:Irregular/Uneven, Sub-Conchoidal
Density (measured):3.12 g/cm3
Density (calculated):3.102 g/cm3

Crystallography of Whitlockite

Crystal System:Trigonal
Class (H-M):3m - Ditrigonal Pyramidal
Space Group:R3c
Cell Parameters:a = 10.33Å, c = 37.103(5) Å
Ratio:a:c = 1 : 3.592
Unit Cell Volume:V 3,428.79 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:3
Morphology:Crystals exhibit rhombohedral development; rarely tabular {0001}. Coarse-granular to earthy. Cave pearls.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
Image Loading

Radiation - Copper Kα
Data Set:
Horizontal Axis: ° to ° Vertical Axis: % Source Data: Filtered Data: Peaks:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.

Optical Data of Whitlockite

Type:Uniaxial (-)
RI values: nω = 1.629 nε = 1.626
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.003

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Moderate

Chemical Properties of Whitlockite

Formula:
Ca
 
9
Mg[PO
 
3
OH][PO
 
4
]
 
6
Essential elements:Ca, O, P
All elements listed in formula:Ca, H, Mg, O, P

Relationship of Whitlockite to other Species

Member of Group:
Whitlockite Group:
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
8.AC.05Howardevansite
NaCuFe
 
2
(VO
 
4
)
 
3
8.AC.10Alluaudite
(Na,Ca)Mn
2+
 
(Fe
3+
 
,Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
,Mg)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
8.AC.10Arseniopleite
NaCaMn
2+
 
(Mn
2+
 
,Mg)
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
3
8.AC.10Caryinite
(Na,Pb)(Ca,Na)(Ca,Mn
2+
 
)(Mn
2+
 
,Mg,Fe
3+
 
)
 
2
[AsO
 
4
]
 
3
8.AC.10Ferroalluaudite
(Na,Ca)Fe
2+
 
(Fe
3+
 
,Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
8.AC.10Hagendorfite
NaCaMn
2+
 
Fe
2+
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
8.AC.10Johillerite
Na(Mg,Zn)
 
3
Cu[AsO
 
4
]
 
3
8.AC.10Maghagendorfite
NaMn(Mg,Fe,Fe)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
8.AC.10Nickenichite
Na
 
0.8
Ca
 
0.4
Cu
 
0.4
(Mg,Fe)
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
3
8.AC.10Varulite
NaCaMn
2+
 
Mn
2+
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
8.AC.10Ferrohagendorfite
NaCaFe
2+
 
Fe
2+
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
8.AC.10Bradaczekite
NaCu
 
4
(AsO
 
4
)
 
3
8.AC.10Yazganite
NaFe
3+
2
(Mg,Mn
2+
 
)[AsO
 
4
]
 
3
 · H
 
2
O
8.AC.10IMA2008-054
NaCaMn
 
2
(PO
 
4
)[PO
 
3
(OH)]
 
2
8.AC.10IMA2008-064
Na
 
16
Mn
2+
 
 
25
Al
 
8
(PO
 
4
)
 
30
8.AC.15Bobfergusonite
Na
 
2
Mn
 
5
FeAl(PO
 
4
)
 
6
8.AC.15Ferrowyllieite
(Na,Ca,Mn)(Fe,Mn)(Fe,Fe,Mg)Al(PO
 
4
)
 
3
8.AC.15Qingheiite
NaMn
3+
 
Mg(Al,Fe
3+
 
)[PO
 
4
]
 
3
8.AC.15Rosemaryite
(Na,Ca,Mn)(Mn,Fe
2+
 
)(Fe
3+
 
,Mg)Al(PO
 
4
)
 
3
8.AC.15Wyllieite
(Na,Ca,Mn)(Mn,Fe)(Fe,Mg)Al(PO
 
4
)
 
3
8.AC.15Ferrorosemaryite
[]NaFe
2+
 
Fe
3+
 
Al(PO
 
4
)
 
3
8.AC.20Marićite
NaFe
2+
 
[PO
 
4
]
8.AC.25Berzeliite
NaCa
 
2
(Mg,Mn
2+
 
)
 
2
[AsO
 
4
]
 
3
8.AC.25Manganberzeliite
(Ca,Na)
 
3
(Mn
2+
 
,Mg)
 
2
[AsO
 
4
]
 
3
8.AC.25Palenzonaite
(Ca,Na)
 
3
CaMn
2+
2
[VO
 
4
]
 
3
8.AC.25Schäferite
Ca
 
2
NaMg
 
2
[VO
 
4
]
 
3
8.AC.30Brianite
Na
 
2
CaMg[PO
 
4
]
 
2
8.AC.35Vitusite-(Ce)
Na
 
3
(Ce,La,Nd)(PO
 
4
)
 
2
8.AC.40Olgite
Ba(NaSr)
 
2
Na[PO
 
4
]
 
2
8.AC.40Bario-olgite
Ba(Na,Sr,REE)
 
2
Na[PO
 
4
]
 
2
8.AC.45Strontiowhitlockite
Sr
 
9
Mg[PO
 
4
]
 
6
[HPO
 
4
]
8.AC.45Merrillite
Ca
 
18
Na
 
2
Mg
2+
2
[PO
 
4
]
 
14
8.AC.45Tuite
Ca
 
3
[PO
 
4
]
 
2
8.AC.45Ferromerrillite
Ca
 
9
Fe
2+
 
Na[PO
 
4
]
 
7
8.AC.45Bobdownsite
Ca
 
9
Mg(PO
 
3
F)(PO
 
4
)
 
6
8.AC.50Chladniite
{Ca}{Na
 
8
}{Ca
 
4
Na
 
4
}{(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)
 
43
}[PO
 
4
]
 
36
8.AC.50Fillowite
{Mn
2+
 
}{Na
 
8
}{Ca
 
4
Na
 
4
}{(Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
)
 
43
}[PO
 
4
]
 
36
8.AC.50Johnsomervilleite
{Ca}{Na
 
6
[ ]
 
2
}{Ca
 
6
Na
 
2
}{(Fe
2+
 
,Mg,Mn
2+
 
)
 
43
}[PO
 
4
]
 
36
8.AC.50Galileiite
{Fe
2+
 
}{Na
 
8
}{Fe
2+
4
Na
 
4
}{Fe
2+
43
}[PO
 
4
]
 
36
8.AC.50Stornesite-(Y)
{(Y, Ca)}{Na
 
6
[ ]
 
2
}{(Ca,Na)
 
8
}{(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)
 
43
}[PO
 
4
]
 
36
8.AC.50Xenophyllite
Na
 
4
Fe
2+
7
[PO
 
4
]
 
6
8.AC.55Harrisonite
Ca(Fe
2+
 
,Mg)
 
6
[PO
 
4
|SiO
 
4
]
 
2
8.AC.60Kosnarite
KZr
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
8.AC.65Panethite
(Na,Ca)
 
2
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)
 
2
[PO
 
4
]
 
2
8.AC.70Stanfieldite
Ca
 
7
Ca
 
2
Mg
 
9
[PO
 
4
]
 
12
8.AC.75Ronneburgite
K
 
2
MnV
 
4
O
 
12
8.AC.80Tillmannsite
(Ag
 
3
Hg)[(VO
 
4
, AsO
 
4
)]
8.AC.85Filatovite
K[(Al,Zn)
 
2
(As,Si)
 
2
O
 
8
]
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
19.4.1Monetite
CaHPO
 
4
19.4.2Apatite-(CaOH)
Ca
 
5
[OH|(PO
 
4
)
 
3
]
19.4.3Brushite
CaHPO
 
4
·2H
 
2
O
19.4.4Isoclasite
Ca
 
2
[OH|PO
 
4
] · 2H
 
2
O
19.4.5Buchwaldite
NaCaPO
 
4
19.4.6Canaphite
CaNa
 
2
[P
 
2
O
 
7
] ·4H
 
2
O
19.4.7Mundrabillaite
(NH
 
4
)
 
2
Ca(HPO
 
4
)
 
2
·H
 
2
O
19.4.9Brianite
Na
 
2
CaMg[PO
 
4
]
 
2
19.4.10Petersite-(Y)
(Y,Ce,Nd)Cu
 
6
[(OH)
 
6
|(PO
 
4
)
 
3
] · 3H
 
2
O

Other Names for Whitlockite

Synonyms:
Pyrophosphorite
Other Languages:
German:Whitlockit
Russian:Витлокит
Spanish:Whitlockita
Varieties:
Martinite (of Kloos)Zeugite

Other Information

Electrical:Piezoelectric, pyroelectric
Other Information:Readily soluble in dilute 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 Whitlockite

Reference List:Julien (1865) American Journal of Science: 40: 371 (as Zeugite).

Shepard (1878) American Journal of Science: 15: 49 (as Pyrophosphorite).

American Mineralogical Society, Program and Abstracts (1940): 7.

Frondel, C. (1941) American Mineralogist: 26: 145.

Frondel, C. (1943) American Mineralogist: 28: 227.

Bannister (1947) Mineralogical Magazine: 28: 29.

Frondel, C. (1949) American Mineralogist: 34: 692.

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.: 684-686.

Calvo, C. & R. Gopal (1975):"The crystal structure of whitlockite from the Palermo Quarry": American Mineralogist: 60: 120-133.

Dowty, E.: (1977): "Phosphate in Angra dos Reis: structure and composition of the Ca3(PO4)2 minerals": Earth and Planetary Science Letters: 36: 347-351.

John M. Hughes, Bradley L. Jolliff, and John Rakovan (2008) The crystal chemistry of whitlockite and merrillite and the dehydrogenation of whitlockite to merrillite. American Mineralogist, Volume 93, pages 1300–1305

Internet Links for Whitlockite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Whitlockite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Whitlockite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    Localities for Whitlockite

    Hide Locality List
    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.
    (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.
    Algeria
     
    • Oran Province
    		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: 686.
    Argentina
     
    • Chaco
      • Gran Chaco
    		Bunch, T.E., Keil, K., and Olsen, E. (1970): Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 25, 297-340.
    Australia
     
    • South Australia
      • Flinders Ranges
        • South Flinders Ranges
          • Wilmington
    		American Mineralogist (2000): 85: 1324.; Mineral. Mag. 63, 735-741
      • Olary Province
        • Weekeroo Station
    		Bunch, T.E., Keil, K., and Olsen, E. (1970): Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 25, 297-340.
    • Western Australia
      • Eucla
        • Madura Motel
    		Mineralogical Magazine (1977): 41: 33-35.
    Austria
     
    • Carinthia
      • Millstatt lake ridge
        • Spittal
          • Millstatt lake
    		Walter, F. (1998): Exkursion E4 am 27.9.1998 - MinPet 98 (Pörtschach am Wörthersee/Kärnten) - Die Pegmatite des Millstätter See-Rückens. Mitt. Österr. Mineral. Ges. 143, 437-450. [http://www.uibk.ac.at/mineralogie/oemg/bd_143/143minpet98_437-450.pdf]
    Bahamas
     
    • San Salvador District
      • San Salvador Island
    		Carb.&Evap. v.16 no.1 (2001)
    British West Indies
     
    • Anguilla
    		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: 686.
    Canada
     
    • Manitoba
      • Lac-du-Bonnet area
        • Bernic Lake
    		Min. Rec.: 32: 416.
    • Yukon Territory
      • Dawson Mining District
    		Horvath, L. (2003). Whitlockit vom Big Fish River, Yukon, Kanada. Lapis 28 (9), 39-40 + 58.
    [MinRec 23:Yukon 34]
    Cuba
     
    • Santiago de Cuba Province
    		Handbook of Mineralogy - Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols
    Germany
     
    • Hesse
      • Wetzlar
        • Waldgirmes
    		Weiss: "Mineralfundstellen, Deutschland West", 1990
    • Schleswig-Holstein
      • Bredstedt
        • Joldelund
    		A. Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", Schweizerbart (Stuttgart), 2001
    • Thuringia
      • Gera
        • Ronneburg U deposit
    		T. Witzke & F. Rüger: Lapis 1998(7/8), 26-64
    Israel
     
    • Negev desert
    		Vapnik, Y., Sokol, E., Murashko M., Sharygin V. (2006): The enigma of Hatrurim. Mineralogical Almanac, 10, 69-77.
    Malaysia
     
    • Borneo Island
      • Sarawak
    		Mineralogical Magazine (1983): 47: 79-80.
    Mexico
     
    • Durango
      • Mun. de Mapimí
        • Mapimí
    		Panczner (1987): 392.
    Namibia
     
    • Erongo Region
      • Karibib District
        • Okatjimukuju farm (Friedrichsfelde farm)
    		P. Keller and O. von Knorring, Eur. J. Mineral. , 1989, 1, pp. 567-593.
        • Usakos
    		Keller, P. (1974): Phosphatmineralien aus Pegmatiten Südwestafrikas. Der Aufschluss 25,577-591.
    Netherlands Antilles
     
    • Curaçao
    		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: 686.
    Norway
     
    • Telemark
      • Bamble (Bamle)
    		Morton, R. D. (1961): Contributions to the mineralogy of Norway. No.9). On the occurrence of two rare phospates in the Ødegården Apatite mines, Bamble, South Norway. Norsk Geologisk Tidsskrift 41: 233-246; Griffin et al. (1972); Neumann (1985, p. 115).
    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
    Puerto Rico
     
    • Mayeguez
    		[var: Martinite (of Kloos)] Handbook of Mineralogy - Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols
    Wise, W. (1997), J. Cave and Karst Studies, 53,170.
    Russia
     
    • Eastern-Siberian Region
      • Transbaikalia (Zabaykalye)
        • Buriatia (Buryatia) Republic
          • Zakamensk
            • Dzhida District
    		Pavel M. Kartashov data
    Saudi Arabia
     
    • Mintaqah Makkah
    		Saudi Geological Survey Open-File Report SGS-OF-2004-12, 68 p.
    South Africa
    Minerals of South Africa
    Minerals of South Africa
    • Mpumalanga Province
      • Nelspruit District
    		Martini, J.E.J. et al (1997), "Mbobo Mkulu Cave, South Africa", in "Cave Minerals of the World" (1997)
    USA
     
    • California
      • Trinity Co.
    • Illinois
      • Jo Daviess Co.
        • Woodbine
    		Bunch, T.E., Keil, K., and Olsen, E. (1970): Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 25, 297-340.
    • Maine
      • Androscoggin Co.
        • Poland
    		King, V. and Foord, E., 1994, Mineralogy of Maine.
      • Oxford Co.
        • Newry
    		King, V. and Foord, E., 1994, Mineralogy of Maine, V. 1; King, V. (ed.), 2000, Mineralogy of Maine, V. 2.
    Handbook of Mineralogy - Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols
    King, V. T., 2006, Minerals of Halls Ridge and Plumbago-Puzzle Mountain, Newry, ... Maine, Mineral News, v. 22(6): p. 1-3.
        • Rumford
    		King & Foord, 1994. Mineralogy of Maine, V. 1.; King and Foord, 2000, Addenda to Volume 1, Mineralogy of Maine, v. 2.
    • Nevada
      • Eureka Co.
        • Lynn District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
      • Humboldt Co.
        • Potosi District
    • New Hampshire
      • Grafton Co.
        • Groton
    		American Mineralogical Society, Program and Abstracts (1940) p. 7; 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: 686, 842, 953, 977; Rocks & Minerals: 16: 208-211.
      • Strafford Co.
        • Strafford
          • Parker Mt
    		Rocks & Min.:64:504.
    • South Dakota
      • Custer Co.
        • Custer District
          • Custer
    		Januzzi, R.E. and Seaman, David M. (1976) Mineral Localities Of Connecticut and Southern New York State and Pegmatite Minerals of the World.
          • Fourmile
    		Mineralogical Record: 14: 195; Rocks & Minerals: 60: 117.
          • Pringle
            • Cicero Peak
    		Rocks & Minerals: 75(3): 156-169.
    • Utah
      • Rich Co.
        • Crawford Mts
    		U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
        • Laketown District
    		U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
        • Woodruff Creek
    		U.S. Geological Survey, 2005, Mineral Resources Data System: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
    • Wisconsin
      • Waushara Co.
        • Saxeville
    		Bunch, T.E., Keil, K., and Olsen, E. (1970): Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 25, 297-340.
    Venezuela
     
    • Dependencias Federales
    		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.: 661, 686.
    • Miranda
    		Urbani, 1997. Bol. Soc. Venezolana de Espeleología, no.30.
    Mineral and/or Locality
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