Triphylite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Triphylite
Formula:
LiFe2+PO4
Colour:
Brown-green, light green-gray, may appear blue-gray; colourless to pale yellow in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Greasy
Hardness:
4
Specific Gravity:
3.42 - 3.58
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1834 by Johann Nepomuk von Fuchs from the Greek ฯฮฟฮฏฯ, "tria", for threefold, plus ฯฯ
ฮปฮฎ "phylon", family, because it was thought to contain three cations (Fe, Li, Mn).
Type Locality:
Isostructural with:
Triphylite Group. Triphylite-Lithiophilite Series.
The most abundant primary phosphate mineral in phosphate and other complex pegmatites, in which it occurs as coarsely crystalline masses, rarely in crystals.
Fresh material is greenish gray to bluish gray.
The most abundant primary phosphate mineral in phosphate and other complex pegmatites, in which it occurs as coarsely crystalline masses, rarely in crystals.
Fresh material is greenish gray to bluish gray.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4020
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4020:0
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
715f7007-29b0-41a6-8b7b-b72d61866e25
IMA Classification of Triphylite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
LiFe2+(PO4)
First published:
1834
Type description reference:
Classification of Triphylite
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.:
38.1.1.1
38.1.1.1
38 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, AND VANADATES
1 : ABXO4
38 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, AND VANADATES
1 : ABXO4
19.1.13
19 : Phosphates
1 : Phosphates of the alkali metals
19 : Phosphates
1 : Phosphates of the alkali metals
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMAโCNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMAโCNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMAโCNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Symbol | Source | Reference |
---|---|---|
Trp | IMAโCNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMAโCNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Trp | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Triphylite
Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Greasy
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Brown-green, light green-gray, may appear blue-gray; colourless to pale yellow in transmitted light.
Comment:
Blue shades may be due to vivianite inclusions.
Streak:
Colorless to grayish white.
Hardness:
4 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Very Good
On {001} nearly perfect; on {010} good; on {011} poor.
On {001} nearly perfect; on {010} good; on {011} poor.
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
3.42 - 3.58 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.562 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Value for Fe end-member. Range 3.53-3.59
Optical Data of Triphylite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.689 - 1.705 nβ = 1.685 - 1.710 nγ = 1.685 - 1.720
Birefringence:
0.008
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.004
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 or r < v
Optical Extinction:
Parallel, may rarely be optically (+), oxidation greatly increases RI, e.g. ฮฑ 1.790 ฮฒ 1.805 ฮณ 1.820 biref 0.030 2V = 85ยฐ; Mg reduces RI (Am Min 28:90 (1943)).
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Comments:
Oxidation greatly changes optical properties. Triphylite may look black or contain blue vivianite alteration along cleavages. Sometimes masses are rimmed by blue tourmaline.
Chemistry of Triphylite
Mindat Formula:
LiFe2+PO4
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Mn,Mg,Ca
Crystallography of Triphylite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pmna
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.0285(6) Å, b = 10.3586(9) Å, c = 4.7031(3) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.582 : 1 : 0.454
Unit Cell V:
293.69 ร
ยณ (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Crystals rare; commonly coarse with uneven surfaces; stout prismatic [100]. Massive, rarely granular. May exist in pods over 1 meter across. Commonly replaced by siderite with accompanying secondary phosphate species.
Comment:
Pmnb, AC B (1976) 32:2761 structure
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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0009574 | Ferrisicklerite | Alberti A (1976) Crystal structure of ferrisicklerite, Li<1(Fe3+,Mn2+)PO4 Acta Crystallographica B32 2761-2764 | 1976 | Sidi-Bou-Othmane, Jebilet, Morocco | 0 | 293 | |
0017986 | Ferrisicklerite | Bjoerling C, Westgren A (1938) Minerals of the Varutrask pegmatite. IX. X-ray studies on triphylite, varulite, and their oxidation products _cod_database_code 1011090 Geologiska Foreningens i Stockholm Forhandlingar 60 67-72 | 1938 | 0 | 293 | ||
0005978 | Triphylite | Losey A, Rakovan J F, Hughes J M, Francis C A, Dyar M D (2004) Structural variation in the lithiophilite-triphylite series and other olivine-group structures The Canadian Mineralogist 42 1105-1115 | 2004 | BB#7 Quarry, Norway, Maine | 0 | 293 | |
0005979 | Triphylite | Losey A, Rakovan J F, Hughes J M, Francis C A, Dyar M D (2004) Structural variation in the lithiophilite-triphylite series and other olivine-group structures The Canadian Mineralogist 42 1105-1115 | 2004 | Palermo #1 Quarry, Groton, New Hampshire | 0 | 293 | |
0005980 | Triphylite | Losey A, Rakovan J F, Hughes J M, Francis C A, Dyar M D (2004) Structural variation in the lithiophilite-triphylite series and other olivine-group structures The Canadian Mineralogist 42 1105-1115 | 2004 | G.E. Smith Quarry, Newport, New Hampshire | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
Epitaxial Relationships of Triphylite
Epitaxial Minerals:
Graftonite | Fe2+Fe2+2(PO4)2 |
Epitaxy Comments:
As coarsely laminated intergrowths with Graftonite, both phases mutually oriented with Graftonite {010} [100] parallel to Triphylite {102} [010].
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 |
---|---|
5.18 ร | (30) |
4.28 ร | (80) |
3.92 ร | (30) |
3.49 ร | (70) |
3.01 ร | (10) |
2.78 ร | (30) |
2.53 ร | (80) |
2.46 ร | (20) |
Comments:
ICDD 40-1499; also 19-721, 11-456; 29-808 (oxidized and Li-leached)
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
34 : Complex granite pegmatites |
Geological Setting:
Complex zoned granitic pegmatites.
Type Occurrence of Triphylite
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Granite pegmatite.
Reference:
Fuchs, J.N. (1834) Ueber ein neues Mineral (Triphylin). Journal fรผr Praktische Chemie, Leipzig: 3: 98-104.
Synonyms of Triphylite
Other Language Names for Triphylite
Varieties of Triphylite
Ferrisicklerite | DISCREDITED (intermediate phases in the triphylite–heterosite solid solution). Occurs only as an alteration product of Triphylite and Lithiophilite, commonly as rims around partly altered masses or crystals of the latter species. Ferrisicklerite and S... |
Relationship of Triphylite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
Heterosite | (Fe3+,Mn3+)PO4 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pmna |
Karenwebberite | NaFe2+PO4 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma |
Lithiophilite | LiMn2+PO4 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pmna |
Natrophilite | NaMn2+PO4 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pmna |
Purpurite | Mn3+(PO4) | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pmna |
Simferite | LiMg(PO4) | Orth. |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
65 photos of Triphylite associated with Vivianite | Fe2+Fe2+2(PO4)2 ยท 8H2O |
32 photos of Triphylite associated with Rockbridgeite | Fe2+Fe3+4(PO4)3(OH)5 |
29 photos of Triphylite associated with Hureaulite | Mn2+5(PO3OH)2(PO4)2 ยท 4H2O |
25 photos of Triphylite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
21 photos of Triphylite associated with Graftonite | Fe2+Fe2+2(PO4)2 |
21 photos of Triphylite associated with Muscovite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
20 photos of Triphylite associated with Correianevesite | Fe2+Mn2+2(PO4)2 ยท 3H2O |
15 photos of Triphylite associated with Albite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
11 photos of Triphylite associated with Wolfeite | Fe2+2(PO4)(OH) |
9 photos of Triphylite associated with Ludlamite | Fe2+3(PO4)2 ยท 4H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
8.AB. | Rodolicoite | Fe3+PO4 |
8.AB. | Johanngeorgenstadtite | Ni2+4.5(AsO4)3 |
8.AB. | Borisenkoite | Cu3[(V,As)O4]2 |
8.AB. | Niasite | Ni2+4.5(AsO4)3 |
8.AB. | Olsenite | KFe4(PO4)3 |
8.AB. | Karwowskiite | Ca9Mg(Fe2+0.5โป0.5)(PO4)7 |
8.AB.05 | Farringtonite | Mg3(PO4)2 |
8.AB.10 | Ferrisicklerite | Li1-x(Fe3+xFe2+1-x)PO4 |
8.AB.10 | Heterosite | (Fe3+,Mn3+)PO4 |
8.AB.10 | Lithiophilite | LiMn2+PO4 |
8.AB.10 | Natrophilite | NaMn2+PO4 |
8.AB.10 | Purpurite | Mn3+(PO4) |
8.AB.10 | Sicklerite | Li1-x(Mn3+xMn2+1-x)PO4 |
8.AB.10 | Simferite | LiMg(PO4) |
8.AB.10 | Karenwebberite | NaFe2+PO4 |
8.AB.15 | Sarcopside | Fe2+3(PO4)2 |
8.AB.15 | Chopinite | Mg3(PO4)2 |
8.AB.15 | Zavalรญaite | Mn2+3(PO4)2 |
8.AB.20 | Beusite | Mn2+Mn2+2 (PO4)2 |
8.AB.20 | Graftonite | Fe2+Fe2+2(PO4)2 |
8.AB.20 | Graftonite-(Ca) | CaFe2+2(PO4)2 |
8.AB.20 | Graftonite-(Mn) | MnFe2+2(PO4)2 |
8.AB.20 | Beusite-(Ca) | CaMn2+2(PO4)2 |
8.AB.25 | Xanthiosite | Ni3(AsO4)2 |
8.AB.30 | Lammerite | Cu3(AsO4)2 |
8.AB.30 | Paralammerite | Cu3(AsO4)2 |
8.AB.35 | Mcbirneyite | Cu3(VO4)2 |
8.AB.35 | Stranskiite | Zn2Cu(AsO4)2 |
8.AB.35 | Pseudolyonsite | Cu3(VO4)2 |
8.AB.40 | Lyonsite | Cu3Fe4(VO4)6 |
8.AB.40 | Michalskiite | Fe3+1.33Cu2+2(MgFe3+)2(VO4)6 |
Fluorescence of Triphylite
Not fluorescent.
Other Information
Notes:
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 Triphylite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4020.html
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References for Triphylite
Reference List:
Shigley, James E., Brown, Gordon E. (1985) Occurrence and alteration of phosphate minerals at the Stewart Pegmatite, Pala District, San Diego County, California. American Mineralogist, 70 (3-4) 395-408
Shannon, Robert D., Shannon, Ruth C., Medenbach, Olaf, Fischer, Reinhard X. (2002) Refractive Index and Dispersion of Fluorides and Oxides. Journal of Physical and Chemical Reference Data, 31 (4) 931-970 doi:10.1063/1.1497384
Dyar, M. D., Jawin, E. R., Breves, E., Marchand, G., Nelms, M., Lane, M. D., Mertzman, S. A., Bish, D. L., Bishop, J. L. (2014) Mรถssbauer parameters of iron in phosphate minerals: Implications for interpretation of martian data. American Mineralogist, 99 (5) 914-942 doi:10.2138/am.2014.4701
Localities for Triphylite
Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
โ - 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.
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
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Emmons Quarry, Uncle Tom Mountain, Greenwood, Oxford County, Maine, USA