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Brazilianite

Big Photo

Telírio claim, Linópolis, Divino das Laranjeiras, Doce valley, Minas Gerais, Southeast Region, Brazil
© Rob Lavinsky

Show Brazilianite Photos (122)
Formula:
NaAl
 
3
[(OH)
 
2
|PO
 
4
]
 
2
System:MonoclinicColour:Chartreuse yellow, pale ...
Hardness:5½
Name:For Brazil, the country in which it was first found.
This page provides mineralogical data about Brazilianite.

Classification of Brazilianite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:7/B.12-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:8.BK.05

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
K : With medium-sized and large cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 = 2:1, 2.5:1
Dana 8th edition ID:41.5.7.1

41 : ANHYDROUS PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
5 : (AB)2(XO4)Zq
Hey's CIM Ref.:19.8.2

19 : Phosphates
8 : Phosphates of Al and other metals
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Type Occurrence of Brazilianite

Type Locality:Conselheiro Pena, Doce valley, Minas Gerais, Southeast Region, Brazil
Place of Conservation of Type Material:Smithsonian Institution 105048.
Year of Discovery:1945
Geological Setting of type material:Pegmatite
Associated Minerals at type locality:
Tourmaline GroupMuscoviteApatiteAlbite

Occurrences of Brazilianite

Geological Setting:Phosphate zones in granitic pegmatites. Metamorphosed sedimentary deposits.

Physical Properties of Brazilianite

Lustre:Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:Chartreuse yellow, pale yellow, yellow green; colourless in transmitted light.
Streak:White
Hardness (Mohs):5½
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Distinct/Good
Good on {010}
Fracture:Conchoidal
Density (measured):2.98 g/cm3
Density (calculated):2.998 g/cm3

Crystallography of Brazilianite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Class (H-M):2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:a = 11.229(6) Å, b = 10.142(5) Å, c = 7.098(4) Å
β = 97.6°
Ratio:a:b:c = 1.107 : 1 : 0.7
Unit Cell Volume:V 801.25 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:4
Morphology:Typically equant, spear shaped, elongated [100], with large {011} and {111}. Also may exhibit {010}, {110}, {301}, and {101}. Ma also occur as radial-fibrous, globular.
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 Brazilianite

Type:Biaxial (+)
RI values: nα = 1.602 nβ = 1.609 nγ = 1.621 - 1.623
2V:Measured: 71° to 75°, Calculated: 72° to 76°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.019 - 0.021

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

Chemical Properties of Brazilianite

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

Relationship of Brazilianite to other Species

Common Associates:
Apatite
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
8.BK.10Medenbachite
Bi
3+
2
Fe
3+
 
(Cu,Fe
3+
 
)[(OH,O)
 
2
|AsO
 
4
]
 
2
8.BK.10Neustädtelite
Bi
3+
2
Fe
3+
 
(Fe
3+
 
,Co)
 
2
[(O,OH)|OH|AsO
 
4
]
 
2
8.BK.10Cobaltneustädtelite
Bi
3+
2
Fe
3+
 
(Co,Fe
3+
 
)
 
2
[(O,OH)|OH|AsO
 
4
]
 
2
8.BK.15Curetonite
Ba
 
4
Al
 
3
Ti(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(O,OH)
 
6
8.BK.20Heyite
Pb
 
5
Fe
2+
2
[O
 
2
|VO
 
4
]
 
2
8.BK.25Jamesite
Pb
 
2
Zn(Fe
2+
 
,Zn)
 
2
Fe
3+
4
[(OH)
 
10
|(AsO
 
4
)
 
4
]
8.BK.25Lulzacite
Sr
 
2
Fe
2+
 
(Fe
2+
 
,Mg)
 
2
Al
 
4
[(OH)
 
10
|(PO
 
4
)
 
4
]
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
19.8.1Montebrasite
LiAl[(OH,F)|PO
 
4
]
19.8.3Wardite
NaAl
 
3
[(OH)
 
2
|PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
19.8.4Tancoite
LiNa
 
2
Al[OH|HPO
 
4
|PO
 
4
]
19.8.5Bertossaite
(Li,Na)
 
2
(Ca,Fe
2+
 
,Mn
2+
 
)Al
 
4
[(OH,F)|PO
 
4
]
 
4
19.8.6Tinsleyite
KAl
 
2
[OH|(PO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 2H
 
2
O
19.8.7Taranakite
(K,NH
 
4
)Al
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
OH·9H
 
2
O
19.8.8Francoanellite
K
 
3
Al
 
5
[(HPO
 
4
)
 
3
|PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 12H
 
2
O
19.8.9Gordonite
MgAl
 
2
[OH|PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
19.8.10Aldermanite
Mg
 
5
Al
 
12
[(OH)
 
11
|(PO
 
4
)
 
4
]
 
2
 · 32H
 
2
O
19.8.11Overite
CaMgAl[OH|(PO
 
4
)
 
2
] · 4H
 
2
O
19.8.12Montgomeryite
Ca
 
4
MgAl
 
4
[(OH)
 
2
|(PO
 
4
)
 
3
]
 
2
 · 12H
 
2
O
19.8.14Foggite
CaAl[(OH)
 
2
|PO
 
4
] · H
 
2
O
19.8.15Gatumbaite
CaAl
 
2
[OH|PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · H
 
2
O
19.8.16Crandallite
CaAl
 
3
[(OH)
 
5
|(PO
 
4
)
 
2
] · H
 
2
O
19.8.17Matulaite
CaAl
 
18
[(OH)
 
5
|(PO
 
4
)
 
3
]
 
4
 · 28H
 
2
O
19.8.19Lehiite
19.8.20Millisite
(Na,K)CaAl
 
6
[(OH)
 
9
|(PO
 
4
)
 
4
] · 3H
 
2
O
19.8.21Englishite
K
 
3
Na
 
2
Ca
 
10
Al
 
15
[OH|(PO
 
4
)
 
3
]
 
7
 · 26H
 
2
O
19.8.22Kleemanite
ZnAl
 
2
[OH|PO
 
4
]
 
2
 · 3H
 
2
O
19.8.23Mantienneite
KMg
 
2
Al
 
2
Ti[(OH)
 
3
|(PO
 
4
)
 
4
] · 15H
 
2
O
19.8.24Paulkerrite
K(Mg,Mn
2+
 
)
 
2
(Fe
3+
 
,Al,Ti,Mg)
 
2
Ti(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
3
 · 15H
 
2
O

Other Names for Brazilianite

Synonyms:
Brazilianite (of Pough and Henderson)
Other Languages:
Dutch:Brazilianiet
German:Brasilianit
Italian:Brasilianite
Polish:Brazylianit
Russian:Бразилианит
Spanish:Brazilianita

Other Information

Other Information:Slowly decomposed by HF and by hot H2SO4.
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 Brazilianite

Reference List:Federico, M. (1949) Ricerche cristallografiche ed ottiche sulla Brasilianite. Periodico di Mineralogia – Roma: 33-39.

Pough and Henderson (1945) American Mineralogist: 30: 572-582.

Hurlbut and Weichel (1946) American Mineralogist: 31: 507.

Frondel, C. and M.L. Lindberg (1948) Second occurrence of brazilianite. American Mineralogist: 33: 135–141.

Pecora and Fahey (1949) American Mineralogist: 34: 83.

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.: 841-843.

Gatehouse, B.M. and B.K. Miskin (1974) The crystal structure of brazilianite, NaAl3(PO4)2(OH)4. Acta Crystallographica: B30: 1311-1317.

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.: 79.

Articles/Blogs about Brazilianite

Internet Links for Brazilianite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
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    Localities for Brazilianite

    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.
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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.
    Argentina
     
    • Salta
      • Nevados de Palermo
    Austria
     
    • Carinthia
      • Millstatt lake ridge
        • Spittal
          • Millstatt lake
    		G. Niedermayr: Carinthia II 187./107.:176 (1997)
    Walter, F. (2005)
          • Wolfsberg Mt.
    		G. Niedermayr, I. Praetzel: Mineralien Kärntens, 1995
    R. Exel: Die Mineralien und Erzlagerstätten Österreichs (1993)
    Brazil
     
    • Northeast Region
      • Paraíba
        • Borborema mineral province
          • Pedra Lavrada
      • Rio Grande do Norte
        • Borborema mineral province
          • Equador
          • Parelhas
    • Southeast Region
      • Espírito Santo
    		Crystal Classics Co.
      • Minas Gerais
        • Doce valley
    		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: 842.
          • Divino das Laranjeiras
            • Linópolis
    		No reference listed
    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: 911; Mineralogical Record: 14: 233; Rocks & Minerals (1988): 63: 42.
    [MinRec 14:234]
    Joe Freilich specimen
    [MinRec 14:235]
    [MinRec 14:235]
    [MinRec 14:233]
    No reference listed
        • Mendes Pimentel
    		Atencio, D., Coutinho, J.M.V., Mascarenhas, Y.P., Ellena, J. (2006): Matioliite, the Mg-analog of burangaite, from Gentil mine, Mendes Pimentel, Minas Gerais, Brazil, and other occurrences. American Mineralogist, 91, 1932-1936.
    [MinRec 14:233]
    Canada
     
    • Yukon Territory
      • Dawson Mining District
    		MinRec 23:4-47
    [MinRec 23:18-19]
    Czech Republic
     
    • Moravia (Mähren; Maehren)
      • Vysočina Region
        • Žďár nad Sázavou
    		Novák, M.: Amblygonit a produkty jeho přeměny v Li pegmatitu z Rožné. Minerál, 2001, roč. 9, č. 5, s. 326-327
    P. Pauliš (2001): Nejzajímavější naleziště Moravy a Slezska. Kuttna, Kutná Hora.
    Germany
     
    • Bavaria
      • Upper Palatinate
        • Oberpfälzer Wald
          • Vohenstrauß
            • Waidhaus
              • Hagendorf
    		http://www.berthold-weber.de/h_miner.htm
    Namibia
     
    • Erongo Region
      • Karibib District
        • Etiro
          • Etiro 50 farm
    		http://portal.unesco.org/es/file_download.php/520f77b01696f95e88bb9e1ab0e64196Gondwana+Park+draft2corr.pdf.
    Rwanda
     
    • Gisenyi Province
      • Gatumba District
    		Cook, Robert B. (2000) Brazilianite. Rocks & Minerals: January 2000; Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols: Handbook of Mineralogy, Vol. IV
    F. Hatert, P. Lefèvre, A.M. Fransolet, M.R. Spirlet, F. Fontan, P. Keller : "Ferrorosemaryite, []NaFe2+Fe3+Al(PO4)3, a new phosphate mineral from the Rubindi pegmatite, Rwanda", Bull. Liaison S.F.M.C., Vol. 16, 2004, pp 44-45.
    South Africa
     
    • Northern Cape Province
      • Richtersveld
    		Minerals of South Africa
    Spain
     
    • Castile and Leon
      • Zamora
    		Am Min 90:1887-1899
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • Yavapai Co.
    		AmMin 67: 97-113 (1982)
    • Connecticut
      • Fairfield Co.
        • Redding
          • Branchville
    		Januzzi, 1976. Mineral Localities of CT and Southeastern NY State, p.228.
      • Middlesex Co.
        • Portland
    		Seaman, David (1976) Pegmatite Minerals of the World
    • Maine
      • Oxford Co.
        • Greenwood
    		King, V. and Foord, E., 1994, Mineralogy of Maine, v. 1.
        • Newry
    		"Maine Mineral Localites, 3rd Ed." by Thompson, W.B., et.al., 1998
        • Paris
    		King & Foord, 1994. Mineralogy of Maine, V. 1.
    • New Hampshire
      • Grafton Co.
        • Groton
    		Rocks & Min. 65:359
    Rocks & Minerals: 80: 252.
    No reference listed
    American Mineralogist (1948): 33: 135-141; 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: 842-843.
      • Sullivan Co.
        • Newport
    		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: 843.
    • South Dakota
      • Pennington Co.
        • Keystone District
          • Keystone
    		Rocks & Minerals: 75(3): 156-169.
    Mineral and/or Locality
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