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Whitlockite

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

Related to:
  • 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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  • Look for Whitlockite on Wikipedia
  • Look for Whitlockite on Mineralien Atlas
  • 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

    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.
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    (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.
    Australia
     
    • South Australia
      • Flinders Ranges
        • South Flinders Ranges
          • Wilmington
    American Mineralogist (2000): 85: 1324.; Mineral. Mag. 63, 735-741
    • 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.
    • 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.
    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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