Sterlinghillite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Sterlinghillite
Formula:
Mn2+3(AsO4)2 · 3H2O
Originally, the mineral was thought to contain 4H2O per formula unit.
Colour:
White, pale pinkish white, also very pale pink.
Lustre:
Waxy, Greasy, Silky
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
2.94
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1981 by Pete J. Dunn after its discovery locality, the Sterling Mine, Sterling Hill, Ogdensburg, New Jersey, USA.
Isostructural with:
Occurs as tiny light white to pale pinkish white spherules on fracture surfaces, also irregular acicular crystals. Few verified specimens known from the type locality.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3766
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3766:8
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
b3d3510f-ab04-423a-bd78-dffe13b10545
Classification of Sterlinghillite
IMA Classification of Sterlinghillite
Approved
Approval year:
1980
First published:
1981
Type description reference:
8.CD.25
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
40.3.5.3
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
3 : A3(XO4)2·xH2O
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
3 : A3(XO4)2·xH2O
20.8.9
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
8 : Arsenates of Mn
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
8 : Arsenates 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.
Symbol | Source | Reference |
---|---|---|
Slg | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Sterlinghillite
Pronunciation:
Play | Recorded by | Country |
---|---|---|
Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Sterlinghillite
Waxy, Greasy, Silky
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
White, pale pinkish white, also very pale pink.
Comment:
Usually white
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Fracture:
Splintery
Density:
2.94 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.48 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Sterlinghillite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.656 nγ = 1.671
Birefringence:
0.015
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.015
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:
Moderate
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Sterlinghillite
Mindat Formula:
Mn2+3(AsO4)2 · 3H2O
Originally, the mineral was thought to contain 4H2O per formula unit.
Originally, the mineral was thought to contain 4H2O per formula unit.
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Sterlinghillite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Setting:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.398 Å, b = 10.672 Å, c = 7223 Å
α = 90.10°, β = 109.10°, γ = 71.83°
α = 90.10°, β = 109.10°, γ = 71.83°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.974 : 1 : 676.818
Unit Cell V:
715,122.45 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Acicular crystals or mound-like botryoids showing a non-radial fibrous texture
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
11.12 Å | (100) |
6.39 Å | (30) |
6.11 Å | (2) |
5.50 Å | (2) |
5.01 Å | (10) |
4.73 Å | (10) |
3.960 Å | (2) |
3.692 Å | (30) |
3.209 Å | (100) |
2.880 Å | (40) |
2.848 Å | (40) |
2.814 Å | (5) |
2.751 Å | (60) |
2.629 Å | (10) |
2.603 Å | (10) |
2.553 Å | (2) |
2.465 Å | (10) |
2.341 Å | (2) |
2.298 Å | (2) |
2.217 Å | (2) |
2.171 Å | (2) |
2.049 Å | (2) |
1.975 Å | (5) |
1.939 Å | (5) |
1.855 Å | (5) |
1.843 Å | (10) |
1.757 Å | (2) |
1.714 Å | (5) |
1.704 Å | (10) |
1.672 Å | (5) |
1.662 Å | (5) |
1.604 Å | (2) |
1.583 Å | (2) |
1.553 Å | (2) |
1.487 Å | (2) |
1.447 Å | (2) |
1.412 Å | (10) |
Comments:
Dunn, P. J. (1981) Sterlinghillite a New Hydrated Manganese Arsenate Mineral from Ogdensburg, New Jersey, American Mineralogist, v. 66, pp. 182-184.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] |
Type Occurrence of Sterlinghillite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Tiny pinkish white spherules or white acicular crystals.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian Institution), Washington D.C., USA, #NMNH 147269.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
As a secondary mineral on fracture surfaces traversing franklinite-calcite ore in a Precambrian Zn-Mn-Fe orebody.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Dunn, P.J. (1981) Sterlinghillite, a new hydrated manganese arsenate mineral from Ogdensburg, New Jersey. American Mineralogist: 66: 182-184.
Synonyms of Sterlinghillite
Other Language Names for Sterlinghillite
Relationship of Sterlinghillite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
Ludlamite | Fe2+3(PO4)2 · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
Metaswitzerite | Mn2+3(PO4)2 · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m : P2/b |
Switzerite | Mn2+3(PO4)2 · 7H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
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.20 | Ludlamite | Fe2+3(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
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 Sterlinghillite
Not known to be fluorescent in UV
Other Information
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 Sterlinghillite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3766.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Sterlinghillite
Localities for Sterlinghillite
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).
Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality.
Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Italy | |
| analysed by Dr. Anthony Kampf +1 other reference |
Japan | |
| Ryuji Marumoto collection +1 other reference |
USA (TL) | |
| Dunn (1981) +1 other reference |
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Monte Nero Mine, Rocchetta di Vara, La Spezia Province, Liguria, Italy