Ercitite
A valid IMA mineral species
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Formula:
Na2Mn3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2O
Colour:
Pale brown, dark brown to black in aggregates
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3 - 4
Specific Gravity:
2.77 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named in honor of T. Scott Ercit (1957-), Canadian mineralogist and crystallographer.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
7101
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:7101:3
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
19f490cb-3cea-45ef-ab4e-564d17ab4cd4
IMA Classification of Ercitite
Approved
IMA Formula:
NaMn3+(PO4)(OH) · 2H2O
Type description reference:
Fransolet, Andre-Mathieu, Cooper, Mark A., Černý, Petr, Hawthorne, Frank C., Chapman, Ron, Grice, Joel D. (2000) The Tanco Pegmatite at Bernic Lake, southeastern Manitoba. XV. Ercitite, NaMn3+PO4(OH)(H2O)2, a new phosphate species. The Canadian Mineralogist, 38 (4) 893-898 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.38.4.893
Classification of Ercitite
8.DJ.35
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
J : With large and medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 = 1:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
J : With large and medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 = 1:1
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 |
---|---|---|
Erc | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Ercitite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Pale brown, dark brown to black in aggregates
Streak:
Beige
Hardness:
3 - 4 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Very Good
parallel {100} and {001}
parallel {100} and {001}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
2.77 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Ercitite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.699 nβ = 1.715 nγ = 1.737
2V:
Measured: 86° , Calculated: 82°
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:
High
Dispersion:
relatively strong
Pleochroism:
Strong
Comments:
X = yellowish green, Y = yellowish brown, Z = dark brown.
Chemistry of Ercitite
Mindat Formula:
Na2Mn3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2O
Crystallography of Ercitite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Cmca
Setting:
Cmca
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.2499(6) Å, b = 8.7479(9) Å, c = 19.9554(17) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.714 : 1 : 2.281
Unit Cell V:
1,091.03 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Crystal Structure
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Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0006278 | Ercitite | Cooper M A, Hawthorne F C, Cerny P (2009) The crystal structure of ercitite, Na2(H2O)4[Mn3+2(OH)2(PO4)2], and its relation to bermanite, Mn2+(H2O)4[Mn3+2(OH)2(PO4)2] The Canadian Mineralogist 47 173-180 | 2009 | Tanco granitic pegmatite, Bernic Lake, southeastern Manitoba, Canada | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
9.9 Å | (100) |
2.644 Å | (80) |
3.273 Å | (60) |
3.126 Å | (60) |
4.92 Å | (50) |
2.542 Å | (40) |
2.376 Å | (40) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
34 : Complex granite pegmatites | |
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] | |
47e : [Vanadates, chromates, manganates] |
Type Occurrence of Ercitite
General Appearance of Type Material:
lath-like crystals
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (CMNMC82944).
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
FRANSOLET, A.-M., COOPER, M.A., ERNÝ, P., HAWTHORNE, F.C., CHAPMAN, R. & GRICE, J.D. (2000): The Tanco pegmatite at Bernic Lake, southeastern Manitoba. XV. Ercitite, Na,Mn3+PO4(OH)(H2O)2, a new phosphate mineral species. Canadian Mineralogist 38, 893-898.
Synonyms of Ercitite
Other Language Names for Ercitite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
8.DJ.05 | Johnwalkite | K(Mn2+,Fe2+,Fe3+)2(Nb5+,Ta5+)(PO4)2O2 · 2(H2O,OH) |
8.DJ.05 | Olmsteadite | KFe2+2(Nb5+,Ta5+)(PO4)2O2 · 2H2O |
8.DJ.10 | Gatumbaite | CaAl2(PO4)2(OH)2 · H2O |
8.DJ.15 | Camgasite | CaMg(AsO4)(OH) · 5H2O |
8.DJ.20 | Phosphofibrite | (H2O,K)3.5Fe8(PO4)6(OH)7 · 5H2O |
8.DJ.20 | Meurigite-K | KFe3+8(PO4)6(OH)7 · 6.5H2O |
8.DJ.20 | Meurigite-Na | NaFe3+8(PO4)6(OH)7 · 6.5H2O |
8.DJ.25 | Jungite | Ca2Zn4Fe3+8(PO4)9(OH)9 · 16H2O |
8.DJ.30 | Wycheproofite | NaAlZr(PO4)2(OH) · H2O |
8.DJ.40 | Mrázekite | Bi2Cu3(PO4)2O2(OH)2 · H2O |
8.DJ.45 | Attikaite | Ca3Cu2Al2(AsO4)4(OH)4 · 2H2O |
8.DJ.50 | Mengeite | Ba(Mg,Mn2+)Mn3+4(PO4)4(OH)4 · 4H2O |
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.
Internet Links for Ercitite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-7101.html
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References for Ercitite
Reference List:
Fransolet, Andre-Mathieu, Cooper, Mark A., Černý, Petr, Hawthorne, Frank C., Chapman, Ron, Grice, Joel D. (2000) The Tanco Pegmatite at Bernic Lake, southeastern Manitoba. XV. Ercitite, NaMn3+PO4(OH)(H2O)2, a new phosphate species. The Canadian Mineralogist, 38 (4) 893-898 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.38.4.893
Fransolet, Andre-Mathieu, Cooper, Mark A., Černý, Petr, Hawthorne, Frank C., Chapman, Ron, Grice, Joel D. (2000) The Tanco Pegmatite at Bernic Lake, southeastern Manitoba. XV. Ercitite, NaMn3+PO4(OH)(H2O)2, a new phosphate species. The Canadian Mineralogist, 38 (4) 893-898 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.38.4.893
Localities for Ercitite
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).
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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