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Ercitite

Formula:
Na
 
2
(H
 
2
O)
 
4
[Mn
3+
2
(OH)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
]
System:MonoclinicColour:Pale brown
Lustre:VitreousHardness:3 - 4
Name:For T. Scott Ercit (1957-)


Structurally related to bermanite.

Classification of Ercitite

IMA status:Approved
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:8.DJ.35

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
J : With large and medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 = 1:1
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Type Occurrence of Ercitite

Type Locality:Tanco Mine (Bernic Lake Mine), Bernic Lake, Lac-du-Bonnet area, Manitoba, Canada

Physical Properties of Ercitite

Lustre:Vitreous
Colour:Pale brown
Streak:Beige
Hardness (Mohs):3 - 4

Crystallography of Ercitite

Crystal System:Monoclinic

Optical Data of Ercitite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.699 nβ = 1.715 nγ = 1.737
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.038

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

Chemical Properties of Ercitite

Formula:
Na
 
2
(H
 
2
O)
 
4
[Mn
3+
2
(OH)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
]
Essential elements:H, Mn, Na, O, P
All elements listed in formula:H, Mn, Na, O, P

Relationship of Ercitite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
8.DJ.05Johnwalkite
K(Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
,Fe
3+
 
)
 
2
(Nb
5+
 
,Ta
5+
 
)[O|PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2(H
 
2
O,OH)
8.DJ.05Olmsteadite
KFe
2+
2
(Nb
5+
 
,Ta
5+
 
)[O|PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
8.DJ.10Gatumbaite
CaAl
 
2
[OH|PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · H
 
2
O
8.DJ.15Camgasite
CaMg[OH|AsO
 
4
] · 5H
 
2
O
8.DJ.20Phosphofibrite
[K
 
<0.5
(H
 
2
O)
 
3
][(Fe
3+
 
,Cu)
 
8
(PO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
7
(H
 
2
O)
 
4
]
8.DJ.20Meurigite-K
[K(H
 
2
O)
 
2.5
][Fe
3+
8
(PO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
7
(H
 
2
O)
 
4
]
8.DJ.20Meurigite-Na
[Na(H
 
2
O)
 
2.5
][Fe
3+
8
(PO
 
4
)
 
6
(OH)
 
7
(H
 
2
O)
 
4
]
8.DJ.25Jungite
Ca
 
2
Zn
 
4
Fe
3+
8
[OH|PO
 
4
]
 
9
 · 16H
 
2
O
8.DJ.30Wycheproofite
NaAlZr[OH|PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · H
 
2
O
8.DJ.40Mrázekite
Bi
 
2
Cu
 
3
[O|OH|PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · H
 
2
O
8.DJ.45Attikaite
Ca
 
3
Cu
 
2
Al
 
2
[AsO
 
4
]
 
4
(OH)
 
4
 · 2H
 
2
O

Other Names for Ercitite

Synonyms:
IMA1999-036
Other Languages:
German:Ercitit
Spanish:Ercitita

Other Information

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 Ercitite

Reference List:Canadian Mineralogist: 38: 893-898.

Cooper, M. A., Hawthorne, F. C. and Černý, P. (2009): The crystal structure of ercitite, Na2(H2O)4[Mn3+2(OH)2(PO4)2], and its relation to bermanite, Mn2+(H2O)4[Mn3+2(OH)2(PO4)2]. Canadian Mineralogist 47, 173-180.

Internet Links for Ercitite

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    Localities for Ercitite

    (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.
    Canada
     
    • Manitoba
      • Lac-du-Bonnet area
        • Bernic Lake
    		[Canadian Mineralogist (2000) 38, 893-898.; Min Rec (2001) 32:416]
    Mineral and/or Locality
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