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Spencerite

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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00019940014977605453135.jpg
Spencerite

Hudson Bay Mine, Salmo, Nelson Mining Division, British Columbia, Canada
09774210014953734678373.jpg
Spencerite

Hudson Bay Mine, Salmo, Nelson Mining Division, British Columbia, Canada
07510990014963138272397.jpg
Spencerite

Hudson Bay Mine, Salmo, Nelson Mining Division, British Columbia, Canada
08616740014947141309884.jpg
Spencerite

Hudson Bay Mine, Salmo, Nelson Mining Division, British Columbia, Canada
08954270014959236809085.jpg
Spencerite

Hudson Bay Mine, Salmo, Nelson Mining Division, British Columbia, Canada
09774210014953734678373.jpg
Spencerite

Hudson Bay Mine, Salmo, Nelson Mining Division, British Columbia, Canada
07510990014963138272397.jpg
Spencerite

Hudson Bay Mine, Salmo, Nelson Mining Division, British Columbia, Canada
08600290014946364476101.jpg
Spencerite

Hudson Bay Mine, Salmo, Nelson Mining Division, British Columbia, Canada
00019940014977605453135.jpg
Spencerite

Hudson Bay Mine, Salmo, Nelson Mining Division, British Columbia, Canada
09774210014953734678373.jpg
Spencerite

Hudson Bay Mine, Salmo, Nelson Mining Division, British Columbia, Canada
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About SpenceriteHide

07830570014947141416310.jpg
Leonard James Spencer
Formula:
Zn4(PO4)2(OH)2 · 3H2O
Colour:
White, light green; colourless in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Vitreous, Pearly
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
3.123 - 3.145
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named after Leonard James Spencer (Worcester, UK,7 July 1870 - London, UK, 14 Apri1 1959), Keeper of Minerals, British Museum of Natural History (London)
An uncommon secondary mineral occurring in some zinc-bearing hydrothermal deposits.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
3722
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3722:4
GUID
(UUID V4):
a209bbdf-573c-45dd-a222-da1d62ff9b77

IMA Classification of SpenceriteHide

Classification of SpenceriteHide

Strunz-mindat (2024):
8.DA.40

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
A : With small (and occasionally larger) cations
Dana 8th ed.:
42.6.4.2

42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
6 : A2(XO4)Zq·xH2O
Hey's CIM Ref.:
19.6.2

19 : Phosphates
6 : Phosphates of Zn

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference
ScrtIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Pronunciation of SpenceriteHide

Pronunciation:
PlayRecorded byCountry
Jolyon RalphUnited Kingdom

Physical Properties of SpenceriteHide

Lustre:
Vitreous, Pearly
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Comment:
Lustre pearly on cleavages.
Colour:
White, light green; colourless in transmitted light.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {100}, perfect; on {010}, good; on {001}, distinct.
Density:
3.123 - 3.145 g/cm3 (Measured)    3.282 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of SpenceriteHide

Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.586 nβ = 1.602 nγ = 1.606
2V:
Measured: 49°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.020
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
small

Chemistry of SpenceriteHide

Mindat Formula:
Zn4(PO4)2(OH)2 · 3H2O
Elements listed:
H, O, P, Zn - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of SpenceriteHide

Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P2/b
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.43 Å, b = 5.27 Å, c = 11.19 Å
β = 116.8°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.979 : 1 : 2.123
Unit Cell V:
549.00 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Pseudo-orthorhombic. Crystals elongated [001], tabular on {100}, terminations commonly blunt and rectabgular with {102}, {001}, and {101}; lance-like at times with large {121} and {221}, with numerous additional forms. Commonly with a columnar to platy structure, stalactitic, massive.
Twinning:
Polysynthetic. Twin and composition plane {100}. The twinning results in {h0l being striated [010].

Crystal StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0014456SpenceriteFanfani L, Nunzi A, Zanazzi P F (1972) Structure and twinning in spencerite Mineralogical Magazine 38 687-6921972Salmo, British Columbia, Canada0293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

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Radiation - Copper Kα
Data Set:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
9.34 Å(100)
3.491 Å(50)
2.3292 Å(25)
4.590 Å(19)
3.861 Å(7)
3.4211 Å(6)
3.1055 Å(6)

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event<2.4
47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals]
47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates]

Type Occurrence of SpenceriteHide

Type Locality:
ⓘ Hudson Bay Mine (H.B. Mine), Salmo, Nelson Mining Division, British Columbia, Canada
General Appearance of Type Material:
The central portion of stalactitic hemimorphite growths.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
1) Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), Toronto, Canada: M9602, M9610, M9691, M9726.
2) The Natural History Museum, London, England.
3) Natural History Museum, Paris, France: 120.22.
4) Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA: 98956.
5) National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA: 121566.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Cave in oxidized zinc ore.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
HopeiteHopeiteHemimorphite
Reference:
Walker, T.L. (1916) Spencerite, a new zinc phosphate from British Columbia. Mineralogical Magazine: 18: 76-81.
Download:
https://rruff.info/rruff_1.0/uploads/MM18_76.pdf

Synonyms of SpenceriteHide

Other Language Names for SpenceriteHide

Common AssociatesHide

Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
4 photos of Spencerite associated with HemimorphiteZn4Si2O7(OH)2 · H2O
2 photos of Spencerite associated with ParahopeiteZn3(PO4)2 · 4H2O

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

8.DA.05BearsiteBe2(AsO4)(OH) · 4H2OMon.
8.DA.05MoraesiteBe2(PO4)(OH) · 4H2OMon. m : Bb
8.DA.10RoscheriteCa2Mn2+5Be4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 6H2OMon. 2/m : B2/m
8.DA.10ZanazziiteCa2Mg5Be4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 6H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
8.DA.10GreifensteiniteCa2Fe2+5Be4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 6H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
8.DA.10AtencioiteCa2Fe2+3Mg2Be4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 6H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DA.10RuifrancoiteCa2(◻,Mn)2(Fe3+,Mn,Mg)4Be4(PO4)6(OH)4(OH,H2O)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
8.DA.10GuimarãesiteCa2Be4Zn5(PO4)6(OH)4 · 6H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
8.DA.10FootemineiteCa2Mn2+Mn2+2Mn2+2Be4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 6H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DA.10OkruschiteCa2Mn2+5Be4(AsO4)6(OH)4 · 6H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
8.DA.15UraloliteCa2Be4(PO4)3(OH)3 · 5H2OMon. 2/m
8.DA.20WeinebeneiteCaBe3(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OMon. m : Bb
8.DA.25TiptopiteK2(Na,Ca)2Li3Be6(PO4)6(OH)2 · H2OHex. 6 : P63
8.DA.45GlucineCaBe4(PO4)2(OH)4 · 0.5H2O

Other InformationHide

Notes:
Readily soluble in acids.
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 SpenceriteHide

References for SpenceriteHide

Reference List:
Walker, T. L. (1916) Spencerite, a new Zinc Phosphate from British Columbia. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 18 (83) 76-81 doi:10.1180/minmag.1916.018.83.08
Phillips, A.H. (1916) New zinc phosphates from Salmo, B.C.. American Journal of Science: 42: 275-278.
Gordon, S.G. (1917) New minerals. American Mineralogist: 2: 41-42.
Walker, T.L. (1917) The crystal form of spencerite. Journal of the Washington Academy of Science: 7: 456-459.
Walker, T.L. (1918) Mineralogy of the H.B. mine, Salmo, B.C.. University of Toronto Studies, Geology Series, no. 10: 5.
Rebbeck, J.W. (1921) Role of the Water in Spencerite. Doctoral dissertation, University of Toronto.
Walker and Parsons (1921) University of Toronto Stud., Geology Series: 58.
Larsen, E.S., Berman, H. (1934) The Microscopic Determination of the Nonopaque Minerals, Second edition, USGS Bulletin 848: 167.
Palache, Charles, Berman, Harry, Frondel, Clifford (1951) The System of Mineralogy (7th ed.) Vol. 2 - Halides, Nitrates, Borates, Carbonates, Sulfates, Phosphates, Arsenates, Tungstates, Molybdates, Ect. John Wiley and Sons, New York.pp.931-933
Fanfani, L., Nunzi, A., Zanazzi, P. F. (1972) Structure and twinning in spencerite. Mineralogical Magazine, 38 (298) 687-692 doi:10.1180/minmag.1972.038.298.05
Braithwaite, R.S.W. (1988) Spencerite from Kabwe, Zambia, and the infrared spectroscopy of the Kabwe zinc phosphates. Mineralogical Magazine: 52(364): 126-129.
Frost, Ray L. (2004) An infrared and Raman spectroscopic study of natural zinc phosphates. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 60 (7) 1439-1445 doi:10.1016/j.saa.2003.08.009
(2023) Spencerite. Handbook of Mineralogy. Mineralogical Society of America

Localities for SpenceriteHide

This 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.

Locality ListHide

- 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.
Canada (TL)
 
  • British Columbia
    • Nelson Mining Division
      • Salmo
British Columbia Minfile 082FSW004
Nature (1916): 97, 375
Walker, T. L. (1916) Spencerite, a new Zinc Phosphate from British Columbia. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 18 (83) 76-81 doi:10.1180/minmag.1916.018.83.08
Mineralogical Magazine (1917): 18, 76-83
Walker, T.L. (1918) Mineralogy of the H.B. mine, Salmo, B.C.. University of Toronto Studies, Geology Series, no. 10: 5.
Palache, Charles, Berman, Harry, Frondel, Clifford (1951) The System of Mineralogy (7th ed.) Vol. 2 - Halides, Nitrates, Borates, Carbonates, Sulfates, Phosphates, Arsenates, Tungstates, Molybdates, Ect. John Wiley and Sons, New York.
(2005) Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS), US Geological Survey.
Paradis, S., Keevil, H., Simandl, G. J., & Raudsepp, M. (2015). Carbonate-hosted nonsulphide Zn–Pb mineralization of southern British Columbia, Canada. Mineralium Deposita, 50(8), 923-951.
UK
 
  • England
    • North Yorkshire
      • Craven
        • Grassington
          • Grassington Moor
Dunham, Sir K. C. Geology of the North Pennine Orefield, Volume 2 Stainmore to Craven (2nd Edition), pp 199.
Zambia
 
  • Central Province
    • Kabwe District
      • Kabwe
Braithwaite R.S.W., Spencerite from Kabwe, Zambia, and the infrared spectroscopy of Kabwe zinc phosphates, MinMag, March 1988, vol.82, pp.126-9.
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