Mindat Logo
Home Page Log In Message Board The Mindat Directory
Register Search Pages Chat Now! (2 online) Mindat Auctions

Brazilianite

Big Photo

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

Show Brazilianite Photos (159)
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
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-760.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

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:
TourmalineMuscoviteApatiteAlbite

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; coloured varieties are 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.

Internet Links for Brazilianite

Search Engines:
  • Look for Brazilianite on Google
  • Look for Brazilianite images on Google
    • External Links:
  • Look for Brazilianite on Webmineral
  • Look for Brazilianite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Brazilianite on Wikipedia
  • Look for Brazilianite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Brazilianite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
    • Mineral Dealers:
  • Fine Minerals from Dan Weinrich Minerals
  • Lapis Mineral Magazin
  • DAKOTA MATRIX offers Cabinet and Rare Species from Worldwide Localities.
  • The Arkenstone - Fine Minerals
  • Top quality minerals from Kristalle of California
  • Wendel Minerals - Auktion & Shop
  • Rare and Unusual minerals at Mineralogical Research Company
  • Buy Minerals and Crystals from Crystalarium.com
  • Buy Fine Minerals from mineralsweb.com
  • SpiriferMinerals.com - high quality specimens
  • Buy minerals from Mineralium.com
  • Find Brazilianite on www.crystalclassics.co.uk
    • Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs

    • Page Sponsor

    Sponsorship:This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.

    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.
    (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
    		Milka K. de Brodtkorb (2002) Las Especies Minerales de la Republica Argentina. Vol. 1 (elements, sulphides and sulphosalts). (Asociacion Mineralogica Argentina)
    Australia
     
    • Victoria
      • East Gippsland Shire
        • Omeo
          • Mt Wills Mining District
            • Glen Wills
    		Museum Victoria Natural Sciences Collection
    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]
    Cassedanne, J.P. (1983): Famous mineral localities: The Córrego Frio mine and vicinity, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Mineralogical Record, 14 (4): 227-237 [ p.233-4]; Mineralogical Record (2001) 32:249
          • 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.
    Cassedanne, J.P. (1983): Famous mineral localities: The Córrego Frio mine and vicinity, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Mineralogical Record, 14 (4): 227-237 [ p.233]
    No reference listed
    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.
    France
     
    • Auvergne
      • Allier
        • Ébreuil
          • Échassières
    		NICOLAS, J. & de ROSEN, A. (1963): Le massif granitique des Colettes (Allier) et ses mineralizations. Bulletin de la Société Française de Minéralogie et de Cristallographie 86, 126-128.
    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
     
    • Western 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
          • Collins Hill
    		Januzzi, R.E. and Seaman, David M. (1976) Mineral Localities Of Connecticut and Southern New York State and Pegmatite Minerals of the World.
    • Maine
      • Oxford Co.
        • Greenwood
    		King, V. and Foord, E., 1994, Mineralogy of Maine, v. 1.
        • Newry
    		King, V. and Foord, E., 1994, Mineralogy of Maine, V. 1; King, V. (ed.), 2000, Mineralogy of Maine, V. 2.
        • 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.; American Mineralogist: 37: 931-940.
    • South Dakota
      • Pennington Co.
        • Keystone District
          • Keystone
    		Rocks & Minerals: 75(3): 156-169.
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
    www.mindat.org Web
    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2009. 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. Current server date and time: 5th Nov 2009 04:16:54