Mindat Logo

Berzeliite

Big Photo

Långban, Filipstad, Värmland, Sweden
© 1995-2001 Trinity Mineral Co.

Formula:
NaCa
 
2
(Mg,Mn
2+
 
)
 
2
[AsO
 
4
]
 
3
System:IsometricColour:Yellow, Orange, ...
Lustre:ResinousHardness:4½ - 5
Name:For Jöns Jakob Berzelius, Swedish chemist (1779-1848)


Berzeliite-Manganberzeliite Series. The Mg analogue of Manganberzeliite. Structurally related to Palenzonaite and to the Garnet Group of silicates.

Classification of Berzeliite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:7/A.08-30
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:8.AC.25

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
A : Phosphates, etc. without additional anions, without H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
Dana 7th edition ID:38.2.1.1
Dana 8th edition ID:38.2.1.1

38 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, AND VANADATES
2 : (AB)5(XO4)3
Hey's CIM Ref.:20.8.17

20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
8 : Arsenates of Mn
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-646.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Type Occurrence of Berzeliite

Type Locality:Långban, Filipstad, Värmland, Sweden
Year of Discovery:1840
Geological Setting of type material:Metamorphosed Fe-Mn ore.
Associated Minerals at type locality:
ManganophylliteHausmanniteCaryinite

Physical Properties of Berzeliite

Lustre:Resinous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent, Translucent
Colour:Yellow, Orange, colorless, brownish-orange; colourless to orange in transmitted light.
Streak:Nearly white to yellow-orange
Hardness (Mohs):4½ - 5
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:None Observed
Fracture:Irregular/Uneven, Sub-Conchoidal
Density (measured):4.08 - 4.27 g/cm3
Density (calculated):4.068 g/cm3
Comment:Value range is Mg end member to midway point of the series.

Crystallography of Berzeliite

Crystal System:Isometric
Class (H-M):m3m (4/m 3 2/m) - Hexoctahedral
Space Group:Ia3d (I41/a 3 2/d)
Cell Parameters:a = 12.355(2) Å
Unit Cell Volume:V 1,885.94 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:8
Morphology:Crystals rare, as trapezohedrons with small modifying faces. Commonly massive or as rounded grains.
Crystal Atlas:
Image Loading
Click on an icon to view
Berzeliite no.1 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)

About Crystal Atlas

You may need to scroll this box using your mouse to view the full instructions.

The mindat.org Crystal Atlas allows you to view a selection of crystal drawings of real and idealised crystal forms for this mineral and, in certain cases, 3d rotating crystal objects. You need Java to see these. You can download Java for free - click here to download Java

The 3d models and java code are kindly provided by www.smorf.nl. You can control the movement of the models by holding down the left mouse-button over the 3d model and moving your mouse. Keyboard controls are:

: default positions
t/T: decrease/increase transparency x/X: next/previous texture
b/B: next/previous background w: toggle wireframe
s: toggle sticks m: toggle miller indices
k: toggle crystallographic axes =/-: zoom in/out
r: stop/start rotation 1/2/3


Note: You will not be able to switch between different crystal models using the Opera 8.5x web browser due to a bug in Opera - you need to use either Firefox or Internet Explorer 6/7 or Opera 9.

Optical Data of Berzeliite

Type:Isotropic
RI values: n = 1.707 - 1.748
Birefringence:May show weak anomalous birefringence.
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.000 - Isotropic minerals have no birefringence
Surface Relief:High

Chemical Properties of Berzeliite

Formula:
NaCa
 
2
(Mg,Mn
2+
 
)
 
2
[AsO
 
4
]
 
3
Essential elements:As, Ca, Mg, O
All elements listed in formula:As, Ca, Mg, Mn, Na, O

Relationship of Berzeliite to other Species

Series:Forms a series with Manganberzeliite (see here)
Related to:
  • Garnet 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+
     
    )[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
    (Na,Ca)
     
    2
    Fe
    2+
     
    (Fe
    2+
     
    ,Fe
    3+
     
    )
     
    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.10Ferro-alluaudite
    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.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
    MgH[PO
     
    4
    ]
     
    7
    8.AC.45Whitlockite
    Ca
     
    9
    Mg[PO
     
    3
    OH][PO
     
    4
    ]
     
    6
    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.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.50IMA2006-006
    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:
    20.8.1Sarkinite
    Mn
    2+
    2
    [OH|AsO
     
    4
    ]
    20.8.2Eveite
    Mn
    2+
    2
    [OH|AsO
     
    4
    ]
    20.8.3Arsenoclasite
    Mn
    2+
    5
    [(OH)
     
    2
    |AsO
     
    4
    ]
     
    2
    20.8.4Flinkite
    Mn
    2+
    2
    Mn
    3+
     
    AsO
     
    4
    (OH)
     
    4
    20.8.5Jarosewichite
    Mn
     
    3
    MnAsO
     
    4
    (OH)
     
    6
    20.8.6Allactite
    Mn
    2+
    7
    (AsO
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    (OH)
     
    8
    20.8.7Krautite
    MnHAsO
     
    4
    ·H
     
    2
    O
    20.8.8Synadelphite
    Mn
    2+
    9
    [(OH)
     
    9
    |As
    3+
     
    O
     
    3
    |(As
    5+
     
    O
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    ] · 2H
     
    2
    O
    20.8.9Sterlinghillite
    Mn
     
    3
    (AsO
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    ·4H
     
    2
    O
    20.8.10Geigerite
    Mn
     
    5
    [HAsO
     
    4
    |AsO
     
    4
    ]
     
    2
    · 10H
     
    2
    O
    20.8.11Akrochordite
    (Mn
    2+
     
    ,Mg)
     
    5
    [(OH)
     
    2
    |AsO
     
    4
    ]
     
    2
    · 4H
     
    2
    O
    20.8.12Manganohörnesite
    (Mn,Mg)
     
    3
    (AsO
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    ·8H
     
    2
    O
    20.8.13Fluckite
    CaMnH
     
    2
    (AsO
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    ·2H
     
    2
    O
    20.8.14Brandtite
    Ca
     
    2
    (Mn
    2+
     
    ,Mg)[AsO
     
    4
    ]
     
    2
    · 2H
     
    2
    O
    20.8.15Parabrandtite
    Ca
     
    2
    Mn
    2+
     
    [AsO
     
    4
    ]
     
    2
    · 2H
     
    2
    O
    20.8.16Wallkilldellite-Mn
    Ca
     
    2
    Mn
    2+
    3
    [(OH)
     
    2
    |AsO
     
    4
    ]
     
    2
    · 9H
     
    2
    O
    20.8.18Manganberzeliite
    (Ca,Na)
     
    3
    (Mn
    2+
     
    ,Mg)
     
    2
    [AsO
     
    4
    ]
     
    3
    20.8.19Magnesiochlorophoenicite
    (Mg,Mn)
     
    3
    Zn
     
    2
    (AsO
     
    4
    )(OH,O)
     
    6
    20.8.20Villyaellenite
    (Mn,Ca,Zn)
     
    5
    (AsO
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    [AsO
     
    3
    (OH)]
     
    2
    ·4H
     
    2
    O
    20.8.21Hematolite
    (Mn,Mg,Al)
     
    15
    (AsO
     
    3
    )(AsO
     
    4
    )
     
    2
    (OH)
     
    23
    20.8.22Grischunite
    NaCa
     
    2
    Mn
    2+
    5
    Fe
    3+
     
    [AsO
     
    4
    ]
     
    6
    · 2H
     
    2
    O
    Related Minerals - Dana Grouping):
    38.2.1.2Manganberzeliite
    (Ca,Na)
     
    3
    (Mn
    2+
     
    ,Mg)
     
    2
    [AsO
     
    4
    ]
     
    3
    38.2.1.3Palenzonaite
    (Ca,Na)
     
    3
    CaMn
    2+
    2
    [VO
     
    4
    ]
     
    3
    38.2.1.4Schäferite
    Ca
     
    2
    NaMg
     
    2
    [VO
     
    4
    ]
     
    3

    Other Names for Berzeliite

    Synonyms:
    Berzeliite (of Kühn)Berzelite (of Haidinger)KühniteMagnesian PharmacoliteMg-Berzeliite
    Natron-berzeliitePseudoberzeliiteSoda Berzeliite
    French names:
    Chaux arseniatée anhydre
    German names:
    BerzeliitBerzelitKühnitMagnesium-berzeliit
    Russian names:
    Берцелиит
    Spanish names:
    BerzeliitaKühnita
    Swedish names:
    Dubbelbrytande Berzeliit

    Other Information

    Other Information:Readily soluble in HNO3 or HCl.
    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 Berzeliite

    Reference List:Kühn (1840) Ann. Chem. Pharm.: 34: 211 (as Berzeliit).

    Dana J.D. (1844) System of Mineralogy, 2nd. Edition, New York: 239 (as Magnesian Pharmacolite).

    Dufrénoy, A. (1844-1847) Traité de minéralogie (as Chaux arseniatée anhydre).

    Haidinger, Wm. (1845): 495 (as Berzelit).

    Brooke, H.J. and Miller, W.H. (1852) Introduction to Mineralogy by Wm. Phillips, London, 1823. New edition by Brooke and Miller. 8vo, London: 481 (as Kühnite).

    Lindgren (1881) Geologiska Föeningens I Stockholm. Förhandlinger, Stockholm: 5: 552 (as Dubbelbrytande Berzeliit).

    Lindgren (1884) Geologiska Föeningens I Stockholm. Förhandlinger, Stockholm: 7: 291 (as Pseudoberzeliite).

    Igelström (1886) Bulletin de la Société française de Minéralogie: 9: 218 (on pyrrhoarsenite).

    Igelström (1889) Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Geologie und Paleontologie, Heidelberg, Stuttgart: I: 49.

    Sjögren (1895) Bull. Geol. Inst. Upsala: 2: 92 (as Soda Berzeliite).

    Bäckström (1896) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 26: 102 (as Natron-berzeliite).

    Goldschmidt, V. (1913) Atlas der Krystallformen. 9 volumes, atlas, and text: vol. 1: 191.

    Doelter, C. (1914) Handbuch der Mineral-chemie (in 4 volumes divided into parts): 3 [1]: 635, 639.

    Hintze, Carl (1922) Handbuch der Mineralogie. Berlin and Leipzig. 6 volumes: 1 [4A]: 214.

    Landergren (1930) Geologiska Föeningens I Stockholm. Förhandlinger, Stockholm: 52: 123.

    Machatschki, F. (1930): IX. Berzeliit, ein Arsenat vom Formel- und Strukturtypus Granat (X3Y2z3O12). Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 73, 123-140. (in German)

    Machatschki, F. (1930): Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 74: 230.

    Bubeck, W. (1934) Geologiska Föeningens I Stockholm. Förhandlinger, Stockholm: 56: 526 (as Magnesium-berzeliit).

    Bubeck, W. and Machatschki, F. (1935): The crystal structure of berzeliite. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 90, 44-50.

    McConnell (1942) American Mineralogist: 27: 452.

    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.: 681-683.

    Blix, R. and Wickman, F. E. (1960): The mineral berzeliite. Arkiv Mineral. Geol. 2, 417-424.

    Ito, J. (1968): Synthesis of the berzeliite (Ca2NaMg2As3O12)-manganese berzeliite (Ca2NaMn2As3O12) series (arsenate garnet). Am. Mineral. 53, 316-319.

    Hawthorne, F. C. (1976). Refinement of the crystal structure of berzeliite. Acta Cryst., B32, 1581-1583.

    Anthony, J.W., Bideaux, R.A., Bladh, K.W., and Nichols, M.C. (2000) Handbook of Mineralogy, Volume IV. Arsenates, Phosphates, Vanadates. Mineral Data Publishing, Tucson, AZ, 680pp.: 65.

    Internet Links for Berzeliite

    Search Engines:
  • Look for Berzeliite on Google
  • Look for Berzeliite images on Google
  • External Links:
  • Look for Berzeliite on Webmineral
  • Look for Berzeliite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Berzeliite on Wikipedia
  • Look for Berzeliite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Berzeliite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Berzeliite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
  • Mineral Dealers:
  • Buy Fine Minerals from mineralsweb.com
  • The Arkenstone - Fine Minerals
  • High-end worldwide specimens & outstanding customer service
  • Buy fine minerals and gemstones from Pala International
  • Wilensky Fine Minerals
  • Fine Minerals from Dan Weinrich Minerals
  • Find Berzeliite on www.crystalclassics.co.uk
  • Buy Minerals and Crystals from Crystalarium.com
  • Mineral Classics - Worldwide Collector Quality Minerals and Gems
  • Rare and Unusual minerals at Mineralogical Research Company
  • Wendel Minerals - Auktion & Shop
  • e-Rocks - Mineral Auctions and Sales
  • Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs
  • Page Sponsor

    Sponsorship:This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to find out how you can sponsor this page.

    Localities for Berzeliite

    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.
    These maps work faster with Firefox!
    (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.
    Italy
     
    • Piedmont
      • Cuneo Province
        • Corsaglia Valley
          • Montaldo di Mondovì
            • Borgata Oberti
    Piccoli, G.C., Kolitsch, U., Blaß, G., Ciriotti, M.E. (2007): Berzeliite di Montaldo di Mondovì: prima segnalazione italiana. Micro (UK report), 1/2007, 49-54.
    Sweden
     
    • Värmland
      • Filipstad
    [MinRec 19:295, 10:216-217]; Nysten, P., Holtstam, D. and Jonsson, E. (1999) The Långban minerals. In Långban - The mines,their minerals, geology and explorers (D. Holtstam and J. Langhof, eds.), Swedish Museum of Natural History and Raster Förlag, Stockholm & Chr. Weise Verlag, Munich, pp. 89-183.
        • Nordmark
    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: 683.
    • Västmanland
      • Hällefors
        • Grythyttan
    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: 683.
    Switzerland
     
    • Grischun (Grisons; Graubünden)
      • Albula Valley
        • Oberhalbstein (Surses; Sursass)
          • Tinizong (Tinzen)
    Graeser, S., Schwander, H., Suhner, B. (1998): Grischunit (CaMn2(AsO4)2), eine neue Mineralart aus den Schweizer Alpen. Zur Mn-As-Mineralisation des Oberhalbstein- Gebietes (I). Schweizerische Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen, 64(1-2), 1-10.
    Venezuela
     
    • Miranda
    Urbani, 1997. Bol. Soc. Venezolana de Espeleología, no.30.
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
    www.mindat.org Web
    Copyright © Jolyon & Ida Ralph 1993-2008. 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. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register.