Zigrasite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Zigrasite
Formula:
MgZr(PO4)2 · 4H2O
Colour:
Pale-yellow or light tan, also orange to off-white
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
2.76
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Member of:
Name:
James Zigras (12 June 1981), a prominent young mineral collector, in 2005 observed some small orange "balls" on a specimen of green elbaite and thought them very unusual. He sent them to Dr. William "Skip" Simmons at the University of New Orleans who determined it was an new mineral species. Dr. Frank Hawthorne of the University of Manitoba determined the crystal structure in 2008. The species was eventually named after James Zigras. The pictures of the MinDat gallery are of the type specimen and represent most of the known zigrasite. One other specimen is currently known. [Rock Currier 2009]
Type Locality:
The Mg analogue of Malhmoodite.
See also UM2009-11-PO:CaHZr (Ca analogue of zigrasite) and another co-described species, 'Unnamed (Zirconium Monohydroxyorthophosphate Tetrahydrate)'.
See also UM2009-11-PO:CaHZr (Ca analogue of zigrasite) and another co-described species, 'Unnamed (Zirconium Monohydroxyorthophosphate Tetrahydrate)'.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
39007
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:39007:9
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
65a092d0-1b60-4323-9c9f-df0c7ae61535
IMA Classification of Zigrasite
Classification of Zigrasite
8.CE.75
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
E : With only medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O about 1:2.5
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
E : With only medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O about 1:2.5
40.1.5.2
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
1 : AB(XO4)·xH2O
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
1 : AB(XO4)·xH2O
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Zig | 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 Zigrasite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Zigrasite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Pale-yellow or light tan, also orange to off-white
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Imperfect/Fair
Imperfect in two directions, parallel to (010) and (001)
Imperfect in two directions, parallel to (010) and (001)
Parting:
None
Fracture:
Hackly
Density:
2.76(4) g/cm3 (Measured) 2.66 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Zigrasite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.597(1) nβ = 1.622(1) nγ = 1.635(1)
2V:
Measured: 65.4° (4), Calculated: 71°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.038
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 Zigrasite
Mindat Formula:
MgZr(PO4)2 · 4H2O
Crystallography of Zigrasite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.3049(2) Å, b = 9.3372(4) Å, c = 9.6282(4) Å
α = 97.348(1)°, β = 91.534(1)°, γ = 90.512(1)°
α = 97.348(1)°, β = 91.534(1)°, γ = 90.512(1)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.568 : 1 : 1.031
Unit Cell V:
472.79 ų
Z:
2
Twinning:
Not mentioned in type description.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0014605 | Zigrasite | Hawthorne F C, Simmons W B (2010) The crystal structure of zigrasite, MgZr(PO4)2(H2O)4, a heteropolyhedral framework structure Mineralogical Magazine 74 567-575 | 2010 | Newry, Oxford County, Maine, USA | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 9.550 Å | (100) |
| 4.589 Å | (40) |
| 4.411 Å | (50) |
| 4.108 Å | (70) |
| 4.008 Å | (50) |
| 3.569 Å | (30) |
| 3.177 Å | (40) |
| 2.660 Å | (30) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 22 : Hydration and low-𝑇 subsurface aqueous alteration (see also #23) |
Type Occurrence of Zigrasite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Subhedral blocky grains sometimes exceeding 1 mm in max. dimension.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, catalogue number M53323.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
A complex rare-element granitic pegmatite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Hawthorne, F.C., Ball, N.A., Nizamoff, J.W., Simmons, W.B. (2009) Zigrasite, MgZr(PO4)2(H2O)4, a new phosphate mineral from the Dunton quarry, Newry, Oxford County, Maine, USA. Mineralogical Magazine: 73: 415-420.
Synonyms of Zigrasite
Relationship of Zigrasite to other Species
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.CE.X | Babánekite | Cu3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE. | Monteneroite | Cu2+Mn2+2(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.05 | Chudobaite | (Mg,Zn)5(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 10H2O |
| 8.CE.05 | Geigerite | Mn2+5(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 10H2O |
| 8.CE.10 | Newberyite | Mg(PO3OH) · 3H2O |
| 8.CE.15 | Brassite | Mg(HAsO4) · 4H2O |
| 8.CE.20 | Phosphorrösslerite | Mg(PO3OH) · 7H2O |
| 8.CE.20 | Rösslerite | Mg(HAsO4) · 7H2O |
| 8.CE.25 | Metaswitzerite | Mn2+3(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CE.25 | Switzerite | Mn2+3(PO4)2 · 7H2O |
| 8.CE.30 | Lindackerite | CuCu4(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 9H2O |
| 8.CE.30 | Ondrušite | CaCu4(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 10H2O |
| 8.CE.30 | Veselovskýite | ZnCu4(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 9H2O |
| 8.CE.30 | Pradetite | CoCu4(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 9H2O |
| 8.CE.30 | Klajite | MnCu4(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 9-10H2O |
| 8.CE.30 | Hloušekite | (Ni,Co)Cu4(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)2 · 9H2O |
| 8.CE.35 | Bobierrite | Mg3(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Annabergite | Ni3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Arupite | Ni3(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Barićite | (Mg,Fe)3(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Erythrite | Co3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Ferrisymplesite | Fe3+3(AsO4)2(OH)3 · 5H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Hörnesite | Mg3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Köttigite | Zn3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Manganohörnesite | Mn2+3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Parasymplesite | Fe2+3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Vivianite | Fe2+Fe2+2(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Pakhomovskyite | Co3(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.45 | Symplesite | Fe2+3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.50 | Cattiite | Mg3(PO4)2 · 22H2O |
| 8.CE.55 | Koninckite | Fe3+PO4 · 3H2O |
| 8.CE.60 | Kaňkite | FeAsO4 · 3.5H2O |
| 8.CE.60 | Hilarionite | Fe3+2(SO4)(AsO4)(OH) · 6H2O |
| 8.CE.65 | Steigerite | Al(VO4) · 3H2O |
| 8.CE.70 | Metaschoderite | Al2(PO4)(VO4) · 6H2O |
| 8.CE.70 | Schoderite | Al2(PO4)(VO4) · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.75 | Malhmoodite | FeZr(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CE.75 | UM2009-11-PO:CaHZr | CaZr[PO4]2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CE.80 | Santabarbaraite | Fe3+3(PO4)2(OH)3 · 5H2O |
| 8.CE.85 | Metaköttigite | (Zn,Fe,Fe)3(AsO4)2 · 8(H2O,OH) |
| 8.CE.90 | Slavkovite | Cu13(AsO4)6(AsO3OH)4 · 23H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Light blue to pale yellow cathodoluminescence.
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 Zigrasite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-39007.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
References for Zigrasite
Reference List:
Hawthorne, F. C., Ball, N. A., Nizamoff, J. W., Simmons, W. B. (2009) Errata: Zigrasite, MgZr(PO4)2(H2O)4, a new phosphate mineral from the Dunton Quarry, Newry, Oxford County, Maine, USA. Mineralogical Magazine, 73 (6) 1063 doi:10.1180/s0026461x00053846
Hawthorne, F. C., Ball, N. A., Nizamoff, J. W., Simmons, W. B. (2009) Zigrasite, MgZr(PO4)2(H2O)4, a new phosphate mineral from the Dunton Quarry, Newry, Oxford County, Maine, USA. Mineralogical Magazine, 73 (3) 415-420 doi:10.1180/minmag.2009.073.3.415
Localities for Zigrasite
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.
USA (TL) | |
| Hawthorne et al. (2009) |
Quick NavTopAbout ZigrasiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPronunciation Physical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Dunton Gem Quarry, Newry, Oxford County, Maine, USA