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Bobierrite

Big Photo

Kovdor Mine, Kovdor Massif, Kola Peninsula, Murmanskaja Oblast', Northern Region, Russia
© Germano Fretti

Show Bobierrite Photos (14)
Formula:
Mg
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
·8H
 
2
O
System:MonoclinicColour:Colourless to ...
Hardness:2 - 2½
Name:For French agricultural chemist Pierre Adolphe Bobierre (1823-1881), who first described the mineral.


Bobierrite Group

Classification of Bobierrite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:7/C.13-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:8.CE.35

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
E : With only medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O about 1:2.5
Dana 8th edition ID:40.3.7.1

40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
3 : A3(XO4)2·xH2O
Hey's CIM Ref.:19.3.19

19 : Phosphates
3 : Phosphates of Be and Mg
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Type Occurrence of Bobierrite

Type Locality:Mejillones Island, Mejillones, Antofagasta Province, Antofagasta Region, Chile
Year of Discovery:1868
Geological Setting of type material:Guano deposit.

Occurrences of Bobierrite

Geological Setting:Guano deposits, in fossils.

Physical Properties of Bobierrite

Lustre:Sub-Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:Colourless to grey-white; colourless in transmitted light.
Hardness (Mohs):2 - 2½
Cleavage:Perfect
On {010}, perfect.
Density (measured):2.195 g/cm3
Density (calculated):2.17 g/cm3
Comment:Measured density value is on artificial material.

Crystallography of Bobierrite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Class (H-M):2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:P21/b {P1 1 21/b} {P21/c} {P1 21/c 1} {P21/a}
Cell Parameters:a = 9.96Å, b = 27.7Å, c = 4.64Å
β = 104.02°
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.36 : 1 : 0.168
Unit Cell Volume:V 1,242.01 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:Crystals acicular or fibrous, minute, elongated [001] and flattened {010}. Also forms rosette-like flattened aggregates; lamellar; crystalline agglomerations; masive.

Optical Data of Bobierrite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.510 - 1.547 nβ = 1.520 - 1.553 nγ = 1.543 - 1.582
2V:Measured: 53° to 71°, Calculated: 52° to 68°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.033 - 0.035

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Low
Dispersion:none

Chemical Properties of Bobierrite

Formula:
Mg
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
·8H
 
2
O
Essential elements:H, Mg, O, P
All elements listed in formula:H, Mg, O, P

Relationship of Bobierrite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
8.CE.05Chudobaite
(Mg,Zn)
 
5
[HAsO
 
4
|AsO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 10H
 
2
O
8.CE.05Geigerite
Mn
 
5
[HAsO
 
4
|AsO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 10H
 
2
O
8.CE.10Newberyite
MgHPO
 
4
·3H
 
2
O
8.CE.15Brassite
MgHAsO
 
4
·4H
 
2
O
8.CE.20Phosphorrösslerite
MgHPO
 
4
·7H
 
2
O
8.CE.20Rösslerite
MgHAsO
 
4
·7H
 
2
O
8.CE.25Metaswitzerite
Mn
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
·4H
 
2
O
8.CE.25Switzerite
(Mn,Fe)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
·7H
 
2
O
8.CE.30Lindackerite
CuCu
 
4
[HAsO
 
4
|AsO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 8-9H
 
2
O
8.CE.30IMA2008-010
CaCu
 
4
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(AsO
 
3
OH)
 
2
·10H
 
2
O
8.CE.30Veselovskýite
ZnCu
 
4
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(AsO
 
3
OH)
 
2
 · 9H
 
2
O
8.CE.30Pradetite
CoCu
 
4
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(AsO
 
3
OH)
 
2
·9H
 
2
O
8.CE.40Annabergite
Ni
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
·8H
 
2
O
8.CE.40Arupite
Ni
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
·8H
 
2
O
8.CE.40Barićite
(Mg,Fe)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
·8H
 
2
O
8.CE.40Erythrite
Co
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
·8H
 
2
O
8.CE.40Ferrisymplesite
Fe
3+
3
[(OH)
 
3
|(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 5H
 
2
O
8.CE.40Hörnesite
Mg
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
·8H
 
2
O
8.CE.40Köttigite
Zn
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
·8H
 
2
O
8.CE.40Manganohörnesite
(Mn,Mg)
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
·8H
 
2
O
8.CE.40Parasymplesite
Fe
2+
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
·8H
 
2
O
8.CE.40Vivianite
Fe
2+
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
·8H
 
2
O
8.CE.40Pakhomovskyite
Co
 
3
[PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
8.CE.45Symplesite
Fe
2+
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
·8H
 
2
O
8.CE.50Cattiite
Mg
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
·22H
 
2
O
8.CE.55Koninckite
Fe
3+
 
[PO
 
4
] · 3H
 
2
O
8.CE.60Kaňkite
FeAsO
 
4
·3.5H
 
2
O
8.CE.65Steigerite
AlVO
 
4
·3H
 
2
O
8.CE.70Metaschoderite
Al
 
2
(PO
 
4
)(VO
 
4
)·6H
 
2
O
8.CE.70Schoderite
Al
 
2
(PO
 
4
)(VO
 
4
)·8H
 
2
O
8.CE.75Malhmoodite
FeZr(PO
 
4
)
 
2
·4H
 
2
O
8.CE.75Zigrasite
MgZr(PO
 
4
)
 
2
·4H
 
2
O
8.CE.75Unnamed (Ca-analogue of Zigrasite)
CaZr[PO
 
4
]
 
2
·4H
 
2
O
8.CE.80Santabarbaraite
Fe
3+
3
[(OH)
 
3
|(PO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 5H
 
2
O
8.CE.85Metaköttigite
(Zn,Fe,Fe)
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
·8(H
 
2
O,OH)
8.CE.85Metavivianite
Fe
2+
3-x
Fe
3+
x
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)x·(8-x)H
 
2
O
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
19.3.1Moraesite
Be
 
2
[OH|PO
 
4
] · 4H
 
2
O
19.3.2Beryllonite
NaBe[PO
 
4
]
19.3.3Hurlbutite
CaBe
 
2
[PO
 
4
]
 
2
19.3.4Hydroxylherderite
CaBe[(OH,F)|PO
 
4
]
19.3.5Glucine
CaBe
 
4
[(OH)
 
2
|PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 0.5H
 
2
O
19.3.6Fransoletite
Ca
 
3
Be
 
2
[HPO
 
4
|PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
19.3.7Uralolite
Ca
 
2
Be
 
4
[OH|PO
 
4
]
 
3
 · 5H
 
2
O
19.3.9Pahasapaite
Li
 
8
(Ca,Li,K)
 
10.5
Be
 
24
(PO
 
4
)
 
24
·38H
 
2
O
19.3.10Tiptopite
K
 
2
(Na,Ca)
 
2
Li
 
3
Be
 
6
[OH|(PO
 
4
)
 
3
]
 
2
 · H
 
2
O
19.3.11Gainesite
Na(Na,K)(Be,Li)Zr
 
2
[PO
 
4
]
 
4
 · 1.5-2H
 
2
O
19.3.12Roscherite
Ca
 
2
(Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
)
 
5
Be
 
4
[(OH)
 
4
|(PO
 
4
)
 
6
] · 6H
 
2
O
19.3.13Faheyite
(Mn,Mg,Na)Be
 
2
Fe
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
·6H
 
2
O
19.3.14Farringtonite
Mg
 
3
[PO
 
4
]
 
2
19.3.15Holtedahlite
Mg
 
2
[OH|PO
 
4
]
19.3.16Althausite
Mg
 
2
[(OH,F)|PO
 
4
]
19.3.17Newberyite
MgHPO
 
4
·3H
 
2
O
19.3.18Phosphorrösslerite
MgHPO
 
4
·7H
 
2
O
19.3.20Barićite
(Mg,Fe)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
·8H
 
2
O
19.3.21Panethite
(Na,Ca)
 
2
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)
 
2
[PO
 
4
]
 
2
19.3.22Dittmarite
NH
 
4
MgPO
 
4
·H
 
2
O
19.3.23Struvite
NH
 
4
MgPO
 
4
·6H
 
2
O
19.3.24Hannayite
(NH
 
4
)
 
2
Mg
 
3
H
 
4
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
·8H
 
2
O

Other Names for Bobierrite

Synonyms:
Hautefueillite
Other Languages:
French:Hautefeuillite
Phosphate de Magnésie tribasique et Hydraté
German:Bobierrit
Russian:Бобьерит
Spanish:Bobierrita

Other Information

Other Information:Readily soluble in 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 Bobierrite

Reference List:Bobierre (1868) Les Mondes, April 1868: 691 (as Phosphate de Magnésie tribasique et Hydraté).

Dana, J.D. (1868) System of Mineralogy, 5th. Edition, New York: 795.

Lacroix (1888) Comptes rendu de l’Académie des sciences de Paris: 106: 631.

de Schulten (1903) Bulletin de la Société française de Minéralogie: 26: 81.

Larsen, E.S. (1921) The Microscopic Determination of the Nonopaque Minerals, First edition, USGS Bulletin 679: 49.

Barth (1937) American Mineralogist: 22: 325.

Hutton (1941) New Zealand Journal of Scientific Technology, Section B: 23: 9.

Gruner and Stauffer (1943) American Mineralogist: 28: 339.

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.: 753-754.

American Mineralogist (1986): 71: 1229-1233.

Internet Links for Bobierrite

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    Localities for Bobierrite

    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.
    Australia
     
    • Western Australia
      • Pilbara Region
        • Wodgina
    		Mason, B. & Dunn, P.J. (1974): An unusual occurrence of Bobierrite at Wodgina, Western Australia. Mineralogical Record 5 (6): 265
    Canada
     
    • Yukon Territory
      • Dawson Mining District
    		[Mineralogical Record Vol 23 No.4 pp 36]
    Chile
     
    • Antofagasta Region
      • Antofagasta Province
        • Mejillones
    		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: 754.
    New Zealand
     
    • South Island
    		Railton, G.L. & Watters, W.A., Minerals of New Zealand, New Zealand Geological Survey Bull. #104 (1990).
    Norway
     
    • Telemark
      • Bamble (Bamle)
    		Michel (1893); Barth (1937, pp. 337-338); 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: 754; Neumann (1985, p. 125); Raade (1996, p. 41).; Michel (1893)
    Portugal
     
    • Guarda District
      • Sabugal
    		Schnorrer-Köhler (1991), Mineral Occurrences.
    Russia
     
    • Eastern-Siberian Region
      • Transbaikalia (Zabaykalye)
        • Chitinskaya Oblast'
          • Krasnyi Chikoy
            • Malkhan pegmatite field (Malchan)
    		[Lapis 1993:1 p13-15]
    • Northern Region
      • Murmanskaja Oblast'
        • Kola Peninsula
          • Kovdor Massif
    		[World of Stones 95:5-6, p64]; Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
    Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
    Ukraine
     
    • Crimea Oblast'
      • Crimea peninsula
    		Chukanov, N. V. (2005).
    USA
     
    • Minnesota
      • Pipestone Co.
    		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: 754.
    Mineral and/or Locality
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