Brazilianite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Brazilianite
Formula:
NaAl3(PO4)2(OH)4
Colour:
Chartreuse yellow, pale yellow, yellow green, colourless; coloured varieties are colourless in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous, Greasy
Hardness:
5½
Specific Gravity:
2.98
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named by Frederick Harvey Pough and Edward Porter Henderson in 1945 for the type locality country, Brazil, where it was first found.
Visit gemdat.org for Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
760
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:760:1
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
c8052b53-5b87-4cf7-9bfd-47071929b9f6
IMA Classification of Brazilianite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1945
Classification of Brazilianite
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
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
41.5.7.1
41 : ANHYDROUS PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
5 : (AB)2(XO4)Zq
41 : ANHYDROUS PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
5 : (AB)2(XO4)Zq
19.8.2
19 : Phosphates
8 : Phosphates of Al and other metals
19 : Phosphates
8 : Phosphates of Al and other metals
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bzl | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Brazilianite
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous, Greasy
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Chartreuse yellow, pale yellow, yellow green, colourless; coloured varieties are colourless in transmitted light.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
5½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Good on {010}
Good on {010}
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
2.98 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.998 g/cm3 (Calculated)
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°
Birefringence:
0.020
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.019 - 0.021
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
Dispersion:
r < v perceptible
Optical Extinction:
Y = b; X ∧ c = –20°.
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Brazilianite
Mindat Formula:
NaAl3(PO4)2(OH)4
Chemical Analysis
Oxide wt%:
| 1 | |
|---|---|
| P2O5 | 38,76 % |
| Al2O3 | 42,53 % |
| Fe2O3 | 0,24 % |
| Na2O | 8,10 % |
| K2O | 0,18 % |
| Li2O | 0,01 % |
| H2O+ | 9,33 % |
| Insol | 0,94 % |
| Total: | 97 % |
Sample references:
| ID | Locality | Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Buranga pegmatite, Muhororo, Ngororero District, Western Province, Rwanda |
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 = 97.7°
β = 97.7°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.107 : 1 : 0.7
Unit Cell V:
801.06 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Typically short prismatic, spearhead shaped, elongated [100], with large {011} and {111}. Also may exhibit {010}, {110}, {301}, and {101}. May also occur as radially-fibrous or globular aggregates.
Forms include: {001}, {010}, {100}, {340}, {110}, {210}, {310}, {610}, {011}, {101}, {101}, {201}, {301}, {113}, {111}, {111}, {211}, {121}.
Forms include: {001}, {010}, {100}, {340}, {110}, {210}, {310}, {610}, {011}, {101}, {101}, {201}, {301}, {113}, {111}, {111}, {211}, {121}.
Comment:
Space group P21/n.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0009508 | Brazilianite | Gatehouse B M, Miskin B K (1974) The crystal structure of brazilianite, NaAl3(PO4)2(OH)4 Acta Crystallographica B30 1311-1317 |  | 1974 | Corrego Frio pegmatite, Minas Gerais, Brazil | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
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Radiation - Copper Kα
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 5.04 Å | (100) |
| 3.77 Å | (40) |
| 2.98 Å | (80) |
| 2.87 Å | (70) |
| 2.73 Å | (80) |
| 2.68 Å | (80) |
| 1.44 Å | (50) |
Comments:
Also 41-407
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) | |
| High-𝑇 alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 31 : Thermally altered carbonate, phosphate, and iron formations | |
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites |
Geological Setting:
Phosphate zones in granitic pegmatites. Metamorphosed sedimentary deposits.
Type Occurrence of Brazilianite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Large, form-rich, euhedral crystals.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, number 105048.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Granite pegmatite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Pough, F.H., Henderson, E.P. (1945) Brazilianite, a new phosphate mineral. American Mineralogist: 30: 572-582.
Synonyms of Brazilianite
Other Language Names for Brazilianite
Dutch:Brazilianiet
German:Brasilianit
Brazilianit
Brazilianit
Italian:Brasilianite
Polish:Brazylianit
Russian:Бразилианит
Simplified Chinese:磷铝钠石
Spanish:Brazilianita
Traditional Chinese:磷鋁鈉石
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 246 photos of Brazilianite associated with Albite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
| 85 photos of Brazilianite associated with Muscovite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| 49 photos of Brazilianite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 16 photos of Brazilianite associated with Cleavelandite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
| 15 photos of Brazilianite associated with Siderite | FeCO3 |
| 15 photos of Brazilianite associated with Microcline | K(AlSi3O8) |
| 11 photos of Brazilianite associated with Orthoclase | K(AlSi3O8) |
| 9 photos of Brazilianite associated with Zanazziite | Ca2Mg5Be4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 6H2O |
| 8 photos of Brazilianite associated with Beryllonite | NaBePO4 |
| 8 photos of Brazilianite associated with Mica Group |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.BK.10 | Medenbachite | Bi2Fe3+Cu2+(AsO4)2O(OH)3 |
| 8.BK.10 | Neustädtelite | Bi2Fe3+(Fe3+,Co)(AsO4)2(O,OH)4 |
| 8.BK.10 | Cobaltneustädtelite | Bi2Fe3+(Co,Fe3+)(AsO4)2(O,OH)4 |
| 8.BK.15 | Curetonite | Ba(Al,Ti)(PO4)(OH,O)F |
| 8.BK.20 | Heyite | Pb5Fe2+2(VO4)2O4 |
| 8.BK.25 | Jamesite | Pb2Zn(Fe2+,Zn)2Fe3+4(AsO4)4(OH)10 |
| 8.BK.25 | Lulzacite | Sr2Fe2+(Fe2+,Mg)2Al4(PO4)4(OH)10 |
| 8.BK.25 | Désorite | Pb2(Fe3+6Zn)O2(PO4)4(OH)8 |
| 8.BK.30 | Nishanbaevite | KAl2O(AsO4)(SO4) |
| 8.BK.35 | Arsmirandite | Na18Cu12Fe3+O8(AsO4)8Cl5 |
| 8.BK.35 | Lehmannite | Na18Cu12TiO8(AsO4)8FCl5 |
| 8.BK.35 | Lebedevite | K4Na14Cu14O8(AsO4)8Cl6 |
Fluorescence of Brazilianite
Not fluorescent,
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
In a closed tube, it decrepitates slightly and gives off water.
Fuses with difficulty, coloring the flame yellow.
Slightly expands on heating, forming a white product.
At low temperatures, the yellow color is lost and the crystals become colorless.
Fuses with difficulty, coloring the flame yellow.
Slightly expands on heating, forming a white product.
At low temperatures, the yellow color is lost and the crystals become colorless.
Notes:
Slowly decomposed by HF and by hot H2SO4.
Insoluble in HCl.
Insoluble in HCl.
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 Brazilianite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-760.html
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References for Brazilianite
Reference List:
Pough, Frederick H., Henderson, Edward P. (1945) Brazilianite, a new phosphate mineral. American Mineralogist, 30 (9-10) 572-582
Frondel, Clifford, Lindberg, Marie Louise (1948) Second occurrence of brazilianite. American Mineralogist, 33 (3-4) 135-141
Pecora, William T., Fahey, Joseph J. (1949) The Corrego Frio pegmatite, Minas Gerais: scorzalite and souzalite, two new phosphate minerals. American Mineralogist, 34 (1-2) 83-93
Morrill, Philip (1956) A New Brazilianite Locality: The Charles Davis Mine, No. Groton, NH. Rocks & Minerals, 31 (3) 128-129 doi:10.1080/00357529.1956.11767656
Gatehouse, B. M., Miskin, B. K. (1974) The crystal structure of brazilianite, NaAl3(PO4)2(OH)4. Acta Crystallographica Section B Structural Crystallography and Crystal Chemistry, 30 (5) 1311-1317 doi:10.1107/s0567740874004730
Cook, Robert B. (2000) Connolsseur's Choice: Brazilianite Córrego Frio, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Rocks & Minerals, 75 (1) 40-42 doi:10.1080/00357520009602573
Baldwin, J. R., Hill, P. G., von Knorring, O., Oliver, G. J. H. (2000) Exotic aluminium phosphates, natromontebrasite, brazilianite, goyazite, gorceixite and crandallite from rare-element pegmatites in Namibia. Mineralogical Magazine, 64 (6) 1147-1164 doi:10.1180/002646100549940
Frost, Ray L., Xi, Yunfei (2012) Molecular structure of the phosphate mineral brazilianite NaAl3(PO4)2(OH)4 – A semi precious jewel. Journal of Molecular Structure, 1010. 179-183 doi:10.1016/j.molstruc.2011.12.003
Localities for Brazilianite
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.
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Telírio claim, Linópolis, Divino das Laranjeiras, Minas Gerais, Brazil