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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.
Structurally related to bermanite and mengeite.


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Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
7101
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:7101:3
GUID
(UUID V4):
19f490cb-3cea-45ef-ab4e-564d17ab4cd4

IMA Classification of ErcititeHide

Classification of ErcititeHide

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

Mineral SymbolsHide

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

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

Physical Properties of ErcititeHide

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}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
2.77 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of ErcititeHide

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.
Surface Relief:
High
Dispersion:
relatively strong
Pleochroism:
Strong
Comments:
X = yellowish green, Y = yellowish brown, Z = dark brown.

Chemistry of ErcititeHide

Mindat Formula:
Na2Mn3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2O

Crystallography of ErcititeHide

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 StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0006278ErcititeCooper 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 47 173-1802009Tanco granitic pegmatite, Bernic Lake, southeastern Manitoba, Canada0293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
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 EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):

Type Occurrence of ErcititeHide

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 ErcititeHide

Other Language Names for ErcititeHide

German:Ercitit
Spanish:Ercitita

Common AssociatesHide

Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
1 photo of Ercitite associated with ApatiteCa5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

8.DJ.05JohnwalkiteK(Mn2+,Fe2+,Fe3+)2(Nb5+,Ta5+)(PO4)2O2 · 2(H2O,OH)Orth. mm2
8.DJ.05OlmsteaditeKFe2+2(Nb5+,Ta5+)(PO4)2O2 · 2H2OOrth. mm2
8.DJ.10GatumbaiteCaAl2(PO4)2(OH)2 · H2OMon. 2/m : P2/m
8.DJ.15CamgasiteCaMg(AsO4)(OH) · 5H2OMon. 2/m : P21/m
8.DJ.20Phosphofibrite(H2O,K)3.5Fe8(PO4)6(OH)7 · 5H2OMon. 2/m
8.DJ.20Meurigite-KKFe3+8(PO4)6(OH)7 · 6.5H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
8.DJ.20Meurigite-NaNaFe3+8(PO4)6(OH)7 · 6.5H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
8.DJ.25JungiteCa2Zn4Fe3+8(PO4)9(OH)9 · 16H2OOrth.
8.DJ.30WycheproofiteNaAlZr(PO4)2(OH) · H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DJ.40MrázekiteBi2Cu3(PO4)2O2(OH)2 · H2OMon. 2/m
8.DJ.45AttikaiteCa3Cu2Al2(AsO4)4(OH)4 · 2H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pban
8.DJ.50MengeiteBa(Mg,Mn2+)Mn3+4(PO4)4(OH)4 · 4H2OTric. 1 : P1

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 ErcititeHide

References for ErcititeHide

Localities for ErcititeHide

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.
Canada (TL)
 
  • Manitoba
    • Lac-du-Bonnet area
      • Bernic Lake
 
Mineral and/or Locality  
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