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Sterlinghillite

A valid IMA mineral species
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About SterlinghilliteHide

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 IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
3766
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3766:8
GUID
(UUID V4):
b3d3510f-ab04-423a-bd78-dffe13b10545

Classification of SterlinghilliteHide

IMA Classification of SterlinghilliteHide

Approved
Approval year:
1980
First published:
1981
8.CD.25

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
20.8.9

20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
8 : Arsenates of Mn

Mineral SymbolsHide

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

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

Pronunciation of SterlinghilliteHide

Pronunciation:
PlayRecorded byCountry
Jolyon RalphUnited Kingdom

Physical Properties of SterlinghilliteHide

Waxy, Greasy, Silky
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
White, pale pinkish white, also very pale pink.
Comment:
Usually white
Streak:
White
Hardness:
Tenacity:
Brittle
Fracture:
Splintery
Density:
2.94 g/cm3 (Measured)    3.48 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of SterlinghilliteHide

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.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic

Chemistry of SterlinghilliteHide

Mindat Formula:
Mn2+3(AsO4)2 · 3H2O

Originally, the mineral was thought to contain 4H2O per formula unit.

Crystallography of SterlinghilliteHide

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°
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 DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
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 EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):

Type Occurrence of SterlinghilliteHide

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 SterlinghilliteHide

Other Language Names for SterlinghilliteHide

Relationship of Sterlinghillite to other SpeciesHide

Member of:
Other Members of this group:
LudlamiteFe2+3(PO4)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
MetaswitzeriteMn2+3(PO4)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
SwitzeriteMn2+3(PO4)2 · 7H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

8.CD.CastellaroiteMn2+3(AsO4)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m
8.CD.SergeysmirnoviteMgZn2(PO4)2 · 4H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma
8.CD.05KolbeckiteScPO4 · 2H2OMon. 2/m
8.CD.05MetavarisciteAlPO4 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.CD.05PhosphosideriteFePO4 · 2H2OMon. 2/m
8.CD.05BonacinaiteSc(AsO4) · 2H2OMon. 2/m
8.CD.10MansfielditeAlAsO4 · 2H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbca
8.CD.10ScoroditeFe3+AsO4 · 2H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
8.CD.10StrengiteFePO4 · 2H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbca
8.CD.10VarisciteAlPO4 · 2H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbca
8.CD.10YanomamiteInAsO4 · 2H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbca
8.CD.15ParascoroditeFeAsO4 · 2H2OHex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P63/mcm
8.CD.20LudlamiteFe2+3(PO4)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.CD.30RollanditeCu3(AsO4)2 · 4H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma
8.CD.35LiversidgeiteZn6(PO4)4 · 7H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.CD.40ThorasphiteTh2H(PO4,AsO4)3 · 6H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbcn

Fluorescence of SterlinghilliteHide

Not known to be fluorescent in UV

Other InformationHide

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 SterlinghilliteHide

References for SterlinghilliteHide

Localities for SterlinghilliteHide

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.
Italy
 
  • Liguria
    • La Spezia Province
      • Rocchetta di Vara
analysed by Dr. Anthony Kampf +1 other reference
Japan
 
  • Fukushima Prefecture
    • Iwaki City
Ryuji Marumoto collection +1 other reference
USA (TL)
 
  • New Jersey
    • Sussex County
      • Ogdensburg
        • Sterling Hill
Dunn (1981) +1 other reference
 
Mineral and/or Locality  
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