Ludlamite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Ludlamite
Formula:
Fe2+3(PO4)2 · 4H2O
Colour:
Apple-green to bright green; nearly colourless in transmitted light; rarely blue
Lustre:
Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Greasy
Hardness:
3½
Specific Gravity:
3.12 - 3.19
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1877 by Frederick Field in honor of Henry Ludlam [October 14, 1824 England, United Kingdom - June 23, 1880 London, England, United Kingdom], English mineral collector, London, England.
Isostructural with:
A secondary phosphate mineral in complex granitic pegmatites; also found in polymetallic veins.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Ludlamite.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Ludlamite.Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2452
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2452:1
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
238b1aa2-dc6e-46eb-8504-656999881f42
IMA Classification of Ludlamite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1877
Classification of Ludlamite
8.CD.20
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
D : With only medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O = 1:2
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
D : With only medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O = 1:2
40.3.5.1
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
3 : A3(XO4)2·xH2O
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
3 : A3(XO4)2·xH2O
19.12.35
19 : Phosphates
12 : Phosphates of Mn
19 : Phosphates
12 : Phosphates of Mn
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lud | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Lud | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Pronunciation of Ludlamite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Ludlamite
Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Greasy
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Comment:
Pearly on cleavage {001}
Colour:
Apple-green to bright green; nearly colourless in transmitted light; rarely blue
Streak:
Pale greenish white
Hardness:
3½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect on {001}, indistinct on {100}
Perfect on {001}, indistinct on {100}
Density:
3.12 - 3.19 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.176 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Ludlamite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.650 - 1.653 nβ = 1.669 - 1.675 nγ = 1.688 - 1.697
2V:
Measured: 82° , Calculated: 86° to 88°
Birefringence:
0.041
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.038 - 0.044
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
High
Dispersion:
r > v perceptible
Optical Extinction:
Y = b; Z ∧ c = -67°.
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Ludlamite
Mindat Formula:
Fe2+3(PO4)2 · 4H2O
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Ludlamite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Setting:
P21/a
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.541(5) Å, b = 4.646(4) Å, c = 9.324(5) Å
β = 100.43°
β = 100.43°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 2.269 : 1 : 2.007
Unit Cell V:
449.08 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Crystals tabular {001}, exhibiting forms {100}, {110}, {001}, and {_111}, and others. Form parallel groups at times. Also occurs granular, massive.
Crystal Structure
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Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0009144 | Ludlamite | Ito T, Mori H (1951) The crystal structure of ludlamite Acta Crystallographica 4 412-416 |  | 1951 | Ashio, Japan | 0 | 293 |
| 0012981 | Ludlamite | Abrahams S C, Bernstein J L (1966) Crystal structure of paramagnetic ludlamite, Fe3(PO4)2*4(H2O), at 298 K Journal of Chemical Physics 44 2223-2229 | 1966 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0012982 | Ludlamite | Abrahams S C (1966) Ferromagnetic and crystal structure of ludlamite, Fe3(PO4)2*4(H2O), at 4.2 K Journal of Chemical Physics 44 2230-2237 | 1966 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Image Loading
Radiation - Copper Kα
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.91 Å | (75) |
| 3.96 Å | (100) |
| 3.74 Å | (50) |
| 2.990 Å | (60) |
| 2.765 Å | (100) |
| 2.543 Å | (100) |
| 2.387 Å | (40) |
Comments:
ICDD 17-468; See also 35-634
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47) | |
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites |
Geological Setting:
Complex granitic pegmatites as a alteration product under reducing conditions.
Type Occurrence of Ludlamite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Green crystals with a rhombic outline.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
The Natural History Museum, London, England: #44187.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Copper-tin veins associated with granite intrusives.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Ludlamite
Other Language Names for Ludlamite
Relationship of Ludlamite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
| Metaswitzerite | Mn2+3(PO4)2 · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m : P2/b |
| Sterlinghillite | Mn2+3(AsO4)2 · 3H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Switzerite | Mn2+3(PO4)2 · 7H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 192 photos of Ludlamite associated with Siderite | FeCO3 |
| 142 photos of Ludlamite associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
| 111 photos of Ludlamite associated with Vivianite | Fe2+Fe2+2(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 34 photos of Ludlamite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 18 photos of Ludlamite associated with Phosphoferrite | (Fe2+,Mn2+)3(PO4)2 · 3H2O |
| 9 photos of Ludlamite associated with Triphylite | LiFe2+PO4 |
| 7 photos of Ludlamite associated with Kryzhanovskite | (Fe3+,Mn2+)3(PO4)2(OH,H2O)3 |
| 7 photos of Ludlamite associated with Sphalerite | ZnS |
| 7 photos of Ludlamite associated with Messelite | Ca2Fe2+(PO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 5 photos of Ludlamite associated with Fluorapatite | Ca5(PO4)3F |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.CD. | Castellaroite | Mn2+3(AsO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CD. | Sergeysmirnovite | MgZn2(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CD.05 | Kolbeckite | ScPO4 · 2H2O |
| 8.CD.05 | Metavariscite | AlPO4 · 2H2O |
| 8.CD.05 | Phosphosiderite | FePO4 · 2H2O |
| 8.CD.05 | Bonacinaite | Sc(AsO4) · 2H2O |
| 8.CD.10 | Mansfieldite | AlAsO4 · 2H2O |
| 8.CD.10 | Scorodite | Fe3+AsO4 · 2H2O |
| 8.CD.10 | Strengite | FePO4 · 2H2O |
| 8.CD.10 | Variscite | AlPO4 · 2H2O |
| 8.CD.10 | Yanomamite | InAsO4 · 2H2O |
| 8.CD.15 | Parascorodite | FeAsO4 · 2H2O |
| 8.CD.25 | Sterlinghillite | Mn2+3(AsO4)2 · 3H2O |
| 8.CD.30 | Rollandite | Cu3(AsO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CD.35 | Liversidgeite | Zn6(PO4)4 · 7H2O |
| 8.CD.40 | Thorasphite | Th2H(PO4,AsO4)3 · 6H2O |
Fluorescence of Ludlamite
Not fluorescent in UV
Other Information
Magnetism:
Diamagnetic
Notes:
Soluble in acids.
In closed tube, decrepitates violently, releasing water and turning blue.
In closed tube, decrepitates violently, releasing water and turning blue.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Ludlamite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2452.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Ludlamite
Reference List:
Wolfe, C. W. (1949) Ludlamite from the Palermo mine, North Groton, New Hampshire. American Mineralogist, 34 (1-2) 94-97
Frost, Ray L., Xi, Yunfei, Scholz, Ricardo, Belotti, Fernanda M. (2013) Vibrational spectroscopic characterization of the phosphate mineral ludlamite (Fe,Mn,Mg)3(PO4)2⋅4H2O – A mineral found in lithium bearing pegmatites. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 103. 143-150 doi:10.1016/j.saa.2012.11.023
Localities for Ludlamite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Austria | |
| Abstracts Volume +2 other references |
| Niedermayr et al. (1995) |
Bolivia | |
| Wilson (2001) +1 other reference |
| Royal Ontario Museum specimen (Pala, obtained 1972) | |
| Royal Ontario Museum specimen (Pala) +1 other reference |
| First found here in December 2003. ... |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | |
| Slobodan A. Radosavljević et al. (2016) |
| Radosavljević et al. (2014) | |
Brazil | |
| Sergio Varvello collection |
| Cassedanne et al. (1982) |
| Baijot et al. (2014) | |
| Cassedanne et al. (1978) |
| Baijot et al. (2012) |
| Sergio Varvello collection |
Canada | |
| Robinson et al. (1992) |
| Robinson et al. (1992) | |
| 150-152. +2 other references | |
| Robinson et al. (1992) |
China | |
| Rao et al. (2014) +1 other reference |
Czech Republic | |
| Povondra et al. (eds.) +1 other reference |
| Breiter K. |
| Masau +2 other references |
Finland | |
| Kallio et al. (West) |
France | |
| FONTAN F (1976) |
| Forner et al. (1997) +1 other reference |
Germany | |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Dill H.G.: "Mineralogical and chemical ... +2 other references |
| www.berthold-weber.de (2001) | |
| Wittern (2001) +1 other reference | |
| Thomas et al. (2000) |
Greece | |
| Rieck et al. (2020) |
| Rieck et al. (2020) |
Japan | |
| Sadanaga et al. (1974) |
Kosovo | |
| Féraud J. (1979) |
Mexico | |
| |
| Panczner (1983) +1 other reference |
Morocco | |
| Favreau (2012) |
Poland | |
| Włodek et al. (2015) |
| Pieczka et al. (2015) +1 other reference |
Portugal | |
| Alves et al. (2012) |
| Schnorrer-Köhler (1991) |
| Neiva et al. (2000) |
South Africa | |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) |
Spain | |
| Christian Rewitzer collection +1 other reference |
| Calvo (1996) |
Switzerland | |
| Vignola et al. (2008) |
UK (TL) | |
| Phil. Mag. (1877) +2 other references |
Ukraine | |
| Lyzhachenko et al. (2019) |
USA | |
| Anonymous (1951) +1 other reference |
| Schooner (1961) |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
| Ream (1995) +1 other reference |
| Mineralogy of Maine |
| Falster et al. (2019) |
| King et al. (1994) +1 other reference |
| King et al. (6) +1 other reference | |
| |
| Tim Blake |
| W. B. Thompson et al. (2005) |
| P. Cristofono et al. (2011) |
| Smith (2005) |
| Rocks & Minerals: 80: 252. |
| USGS Prof Paper 353 +4 other references | |
| Geological Society of America Abstracts ... +2 other references | |
| Thompson et al. (2022) |
| Rocks & Minerals 80:4 pp234-241 +1 other reference |
| P Haas collection |
| Northrop et al. (1996) | |
| Campbell et al. (1985) |
| Rocks & Minerals: 60: 117. +1 other reference |
| Smith et al. (2000) |
| Campbell et al. (1985) |
| Smith et al. (2000) | |
| Anthony et al. (2016) |
| Smith et al. (2000) | |
| Rocks & Minerals: 57: 160 +1 other reference | |
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