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Metavariscite

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About MetavarisciteHide

Formula:
AlPO4 · 2H2O
Colour:
Light green; colourless in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Sub-Adamantine, Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous
Hardness:
Specific Gravity:
2.51 - 2.54
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in 1927 by Esper S. Larsen and Waldemar T. Schaller in allusion to its dimorphous relationship to Variscite.
Dimorph of:
Metavariscite Group. The monoclinic dimorph of Variscite.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
2694
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2694:5
GUID
(UUID V4):
2132266d-6ab5-4276-b2be-2b7a8316aab2

IMA Classification of MetavarisciteHide

Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Al(PO4) · 2H2O

Classification of MetavarisciteHide

8.CD.05

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
D : With only medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O = 1:2
40.4.3.1

40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
4 : (AB)5(XO4)2·xH2O
19.7.6

19 : Phosphates
7 : Phosphates of Al alone

Mineral SymbolsHide

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

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

Pronunciation of MetavarisciteHide

Pronunciation:
PlayRecorded byCountry
Jolyon RalphUnited Kingdom

Physical Properties of MetavarisciteHide

Sub-Adamantine, Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Light green; colourless in transmitted light.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
On {010}.
Density:
2.51 - 2.54 g/cm3 (Measured)    2.53 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of MetavarisciteHide

Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.551 nβ = 1.558 nγ = 1.582
2V:
Measured: 55° , Calculated: 58°
Birefringence:
0.031
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.031
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Low
Dispersion:
r < v strong
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
X = colorless, Y = Z = light green

Chemistry of MetavarisciteHide

Mindat Formula:
AlPO4 · 2H2O

Crystallography of MetavarisciteHide

Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.18 Å, b = 9.51 Å, c = 8.45 Å
β = 90.4°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.545 : 1 : 0.889
Unit Cell V:
416.25 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Crystals thin to thick tabular {010}, equant or slightly elongated [001] or [100], yielding lath-like forms; long prismatic [100] rare. Form development is markedly pseudo-orthorhombic. Also occurs as loosely coherent granular masses.
Twinning:
On {102}, as contact twins.
Comment:
P21/n

Crystal StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0009488MetavarisciteKniep R, Mootz D (1973) Metavariscite - A redetermination of its crystal structure Acta Crystallographica B29 2292-22941973Utalith Hill, Lucin, Utah, USA0293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
6.325 Å(25)
4.758 Å(100)
4.552 Å(75)
4.227 Å(65)
3.503 Å(60)
2.705 Å(95)
2.290 Å(20)
Comments:
ICDD 33-32

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event<2.4
47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals]
47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates]
Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals<10 Ka
57 : Other minerals formed by human processes
Geological Setting:
Phosphate-rich veins, sedimentary phosphates deposits, guano deposits

Type Occurrence of MetavarisciteHide

Geological Setting of Type Material:
Sedimentary phosphate mineralization along fractures
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Other Language Names for MetavarisciteHide

Relationship of Metavariscite to other SpeciesHide

Other Members of this group:
BonacinaiteSc(AsO4) · 2H2OMon. 2/m
KolbeckiteScPO4 · 2H2OMon. 2/m
PhosphosideriteFePO4 · 2H2OMon. 2/m

Common AssociatesHide

Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
41 photos of Metavariscite associated with FluelliteAl2(PO4)F2(OH) · 7H2O
29 photos of Metavariscite associated with VarisciteAlPO4 · 2H2O
6 photos of Metavariscite associated with QuartzSiO2
1 photo of Metavariscite associated with BariosincositeBa(VO)2(PO4)2 · 4H2O
1 photo of Metavariscite associated with MontgomeryiteCa4MgAl4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 12H2O
1 photo of Metavariscite associated with MinyuliteKAl2(PO4)2F · 4H2O
1 photo of Metavariscite associated with VivianiteFe2+Fe2+2(PO4)2 · 8H2O
1 photo of Metavariscite associated with CrandalliteCaAl3(PO4)(PO3OH)(OH)6

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.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.25SterlinghilliteMn2+3(AsO4)2 · 3H2OTric. 1 : P1
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 MetavarisciteHide

Not 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 MetavarisciteHide

References for MetavarisciteHide

Localities for MetavarisciteHide

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.
Australia
 
  • Western Australia
    • Meekatharra Shire
      • Milgun Station
Peter Downes et al. (2018)
      • Woodlands Station
Nickel (2008)
Austria
 
  • Lower Austria
    • Krems-Land District
      • Mühldorf
Niedermayr (1984) +1 other reference
Bolivia
 
  • Potosí
    • Sud Chichas Province
      • Atocha Municipality
        • Cerro Chorolque
Kempff et al. (La Paz, 2009)
Brazil
 
  • Minas Gerais
    • Conselheiro Pena
      • Barra do Cuieté
Lamoso et al. (2017)
Colombia
 
  • San Andrés y Providencia Department
Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference
Czech Republic
 
  • Karlovy Vary Region
    • Cheb District
Breiter K.
  • Vysočina Region
    • Pelhřimov District
      • Křeč
Vrtiška L et al. (2017)
Germany
 
  • Lower Saxony
    • Goslar District
      • Clausthal-Zellerfeld
        • Oberschulenberg
Lapis (1)
  • Thuringia
    • Greiz District
      • Kauern
T. Witzke & F. Rüger: Lapis 1998 (7/8)
Liberia
 
  • Gbarpolu County
    • Bopolu
a reconnaissance report. USGS Bulletin ... +1 other reference
Poland
 
  • Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship
    • Kielce County
Wieser T. (ŚWIĘTOKRZYSKIE MTS.)
Russia
 
  • Kamchatka Krai
    • Ust-Bolsheretsky District
Rychagov et al. (2017, November)
South Africa
 
  • Limpopo
    • Waterberg District Municipality
      • Thabazimbi Local Municipality
        • Thabazimbi
          • Glenover carbonatite
Cairncross et al. (1995)
Spain
 
  • Catalonia
    • Barcelona
      • Vallès Occidental
        • Montcada i Reixac
Mineralogistes de Catalunya (1997)
  • Navarre
    • Esteríbar
      • Eugui
Calvo et al. (2003)
UK
 
  • England
    • Cornwall
      • Treverbyn
        • Stenalees
Elton (1996)
USA
 
  • Arkansas
Howard (1987)
  • Idaho
    • Fremont County
Ream (2004)
  • Nevada
    • Elko County
      • Carlin Mining District
Castor et al. (2004)
    • Esmeralda County
Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference
Castor et al. (2004)
    • Humboldt County
      • Iron Point Mining District
        • Valmy
Castor et al. (2004)
    • Mineral County
      • Candelaria Mining District
Kampf et al. (2016)
    • Nye County
      • Hot Creek Range
        • Tybo Mining District
Castor et al. (2004)
    • Pershing County
      • Humboldt Range
        • Willard Mining District
David M. Lowe Collection. Analyzed by ...
  • Utah
    • Box Elder County
      • Lucin Mining District
        • Utahlite Hill
American Mineralogist (1925) +1 other reference
J. Marty (1995)
  • Wisconsin
    • Dodge County
      • Iron Ridge Mining District (Neda Iron Mining District)
Hawley (1934)
 
Mineral and/or Locality  
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