Simferite
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About Simferite
Formula:
Li(Mg,Fe3+,Mn3+)2(PO4)2
Colour:
Dark red to nearly black
Lustre:
Vitreous, Greasy
Specific Gravity:
3.22 - 3.27
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Found by V.V. Bairakov in the core of a borehole (depth 15 m) in the contact zone of a granite pegmatite body in the Rodionovskoe (Radionovskoye) pegmatite field, Zaporozh'e district Azoz Sea Region, Ukraine. Named after Simferopol City, in Crimea, Ukraine, where the mineral was studied [Pekov 1997].
Both the name simferopolite and simferite was used in the first papers. The name of the city and the mineral is derived from greek, συμφέρω, sympherō, which means to bring together; to be helpful, a common good, as four cations (Li,Mg,Fe,Mn) enter into its structure [Simonov et al 2005].
Both the name simferopolite and simferite was used in the first papers. The name of the city and the mineral is derived from greek, συμφέρω, sympherō, which means to bring together; to be helpful, a common good, as four cations (Li,Mg,Fe,Mn) enter into its structure [Simonov et al 2005].
Classification of Simferite
Approved
Approval year:
1989
First published:
1989
7/A.02-05
8.AB.10
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
A : Phosphates, etc. without additional anions, without H2O
B : With medium-sized cations
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
A : Phosphates, etc. without additional anions, without H2O
B : With medium-sized cations
Dana 7th ed.:
38.1.4.3
38.5.7.1
38 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, AND VANADATES
5 : Miscellaneous
38 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, AND VANADATES
5 : Miscellaneous
Physical Properties of Simferite
Vitreous, Greasy
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Dark red to nearly black
Streak:
Cinnamon-brown
Hardness:
VHN100=457(30) kg/mm2 - Vickers
Cleavage:
Perfect
Prominent on {010}, poor on {100}
Prominent on {010}, poor on {100}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Sub-Conchoidal
Density:
3.22 - 3.27 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.25 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Simferite
Type:
Biaxial
RI values:
nα = 1.690 - 1.704 nβ = 1.702 - 1.716 nγ = 1.712 - 1.726
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.022

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 strong
Pleochroism:
Strong
Comments:
Intense. X=light brown to red; Y=brownish yellow to brown; Z=yellow to reddish yellow. X=c, Y=a, Z=b.
Chemical Properties of Simferite
Formula:
Li(Mg,Fe3+,Mn3+)2(PO4)2
Crystallography of Simferite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Cell Parameters:
a = 4.74 Å, b = 10.1 Å, c = 5.89 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.469 : 1 : 0.583
Unit Cell V:
281.98 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Crystal Structure
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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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0012480 | Simferite | Yakubovich O V, Bairakov V V, Simonov M A (1989) Crystal structure of simferite Li(Mg,Fe3+,Mn3+)2[PO4]2 Doklady Akademii Nauk SSSR 307 1119-1122 | 1989 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
Type Occurrence of Simferite
Synonyms of Simferite
Other Language Names for Simferite
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping
8.AB. | Borisenkoite | Cu3[(V,As)O4]2 | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
8.AB.05 | Farringtonite | Mg3(PO4)2 | Mon. 2/m |
8.AB.10 | Ferrisicklerite | Li1-x(Fe3+xFe2+1-x)PO4 | Orth. |
8.AB.10 | Heterosite | (Fe3+,Mn3+)PO4 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pmna |
8.AB.10 | Lithiophilite | LiMn2+PO4 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pmna |
8.AB.10 | Natrophilite | NaMn2+PO4 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pmna |
8.AB.10 | Purpurite | Mn3+(PO4) | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pmna |
8.AB.10 | Sicklerite | Li1-x(Mn3+xMn2+1-x)PO4 | Orth. |
8.AB.10 | Triphylite | LiFe2+PO4 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pmna |
8.AB.10 | Karenwebberite | NaFe2+PO4 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma |
8.AB.15 | Sarcopside | (Fe2+,Mn2+,Mg)3(PO4)2 | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
8.AB.15 | Chopinite | (Mg,Fe2+)3(PO4)2 | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
8.AB.20 | Beusite | Mn2+Mn2+2 (PO4)2 | Mon. |
8.AB.20 | Graftonite | Fe2+Fe2+2(PO4)2 | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
8.AB.25 | Xanthiosite | Ni3(AsO4)2 | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
8.AB.30 | Lammerite | Cu3(AsO4)2 | Mon. |
8.AB.30 | Lammerite-β | Cu3(AsO4)2 | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
8.AB.35 | Mcbirneyite | Cu3(VO4)2 | Tric. 1 : P1 |
8.AB.35 | Stranskiite | Zn2Cu(AsO4)2 | Tric. 1 : P1 |
8.AB.35 | Pseudolyonsite | Cu3(VO4)2 | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
8.AB.40 | Lyonsite | Cu3Fe4(VO4)6 | Orth. |
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.
References for Simferite
Reference List:
Sort by Year (asc) | by Year (desc) | by Author (A-Z) | by Author (Z-A)
Yakubovich, O.V., Bairakov, V.V., Simonov, M.A. (1989) Crystal structure of simferite Li(Mg,Fe3+,Mn3+)2[PO4]2. Soviet Physics - Doklady: 34: 669-671.
Yakubovich, O.V, Bairakov, V.V., Simonov, M.A. (1989) Crystal structure of simferite. Doklady Rossiiskoi Akademii Nauk: 307 (5): 1119-1122 (in Russian).
Jambor, J.L., Puziewicz, J. (1993) New mineral names. American Mineralogist: 78: 450-455.
Pekov, I. (1997) Minerals first discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union. Ocean Pictures, Moscow 1998, p.187-188.
Simonov, M.A., Borisovskyi, S.E., Ziborova, T.A. (2005) Simferite Li(Mg,Fe3+,Mn3+)2(PO4)2, a new mineral. Mineralogical Journal (Ukraine): 27(2): 112-120.
Bairakov, V.V.; Yakubovich, O.V.; Simonov, M.A.; Borisovskii, S.E. & Ziborova, T.A. (2006) Simferite Li(Mg,Fe3+,Mn3+)2[PO4]2, a new mineral. [Erratum]. Mineralogichnii Zhurnal: 28: 99-100.
Ercit, T.S., Piilonen, P.C., Locock, A.J., Kolitsch, U., Rowe, R. (2006) New mineral names. American Mineralogist: 91: 1201-1209.
Łodziński, M., Sitarz, M. (2009) Chemical and spectroscopic characterization of some phosphate accessory minerals from pegmatites of the Sowie Góry Mts, SW Poland. Journal of Molecular Structure: 924-926: 442-447.
Internet Links for Simferite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3665.html
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Localities for Simferite
Locality List




All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
China | |
| Rao, C., Wang, R., Yang, Y., Hatert, F., Xia, Q., Yue, X., & Wang, W. (2017). Insights into post-magmatic metasomatism and Li circulation in granitic systems from phosphate minerals of the Nanping No. 31 pegmatite (SE China). Ore Geology Reviews, 91, 864-876. |
Poland | |
| Łodziński M. & Sitarz M. 2008: Chemical and Spectroscopic Characterization of Some Phosphates Accessory Minerals from Pegmatites of the Sowie Mts (Owles Mts), SW Poland. EUCMOS, Spectroscopy Applied to Archaeology, Arts, Geology and Mineralogy, p. 278 |
Pieczka, A., Hawthorne, F.C., Gołębiowska, B., Włodek, A., Grochowina, A. (2016): Maneckiite, ideally NaCa2Fe2+2(Fe3+Mg)Mn2(PO4)6(H2O)2, a new phosphate mineral of the wicksite supergroup from the Michałkowa pegmatite, Góry Sowie block, southwestern Poland. Mineralogical Magazine: 80: (in press | |
| Pieczka, A., Biagioni, C., Gołębiowska, B., Jeleń, P., Pasero, M., & Sitarz, M. (2018). Parafiniukite, Ca2Mn3 (PO4) 3Cl, a New Member of the Apatite Supergroup from the Szklary Pegmatite, Lower Silesia, Poland: Description and Crystal Structure. Minerals, 8(11), 485. |
Ukraine (TL) | |
| Bayrakov, V.V., Yakubovich, O.V., Simonov, M.A., Borisovskyi, S.E., Ziborova, T.A. (2005): Simferite Li(Mg,Fe3+, Mn3+)2(PO4)2, a new mineral. Mineralogical Journal (Ukraine), 27(2), 112-120. |
Krutaya Balka pegmatite, Rodionovskoe pegmatite field, Middle Berda River, Berdyansk Raion, Zaporizhia Oblast, Ukraine