Metavariscite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Metavariscite
Formula:
AlPO4 · 2H2O
Colour:
Light green; colourless in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Sub-Adamantine, Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous
Hardness:
3½
Specific Gravity:
2.51 - 2.54
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1927 by Esper S. Larsen and Waldemar T. Schaller in allusion to its dimorphous relationship to Variscite.
Dimorph of:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2694
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2694:5
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
2132266d-6ab5-4276-b2be-2b7a8316aab2
IMA Classification of Metavariscite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Al(PO4) · 2H2O
Classification of Metavariscite
8.CD.05
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
D : With only medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O = 1:2
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
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
4 : (AB)5(XO4)2·xH2O
19.7.6
19 : Phosphates
7 : Phosphates of Al alone
19 : Phosphates
7 : Phosphates of Al alone
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 |
---|---|---|
Mvar | 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 Metavariscite
Pronunciation:
Play | Recorded by | Country |
---|---|---|
Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Metavariscite
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}.
On {010}.
Density:
2.51 - 2.54 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.53 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Metavariscite
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.
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 Metavariscite
Mindat Formula:
AlPO4 · 2H2O
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Metavariscite
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°
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 Structure
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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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0009488 | Metavariscite | Kniep R, Mootz D (1973) Metavariscite - A redetermination of its crystal structure Acta Crystallographica B29 2292-2294 | 1973 | Utalith Hill, Lucin, Utah, USA | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
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 Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest 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 Metavariscite
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Sedimentary phosphate mineralization along fractures
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Metavariscite
Relationship of Metavariscite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
Bonacinaite | Sc(AsO4) · 2H2O | Mon. 2/m |
Kolbeckite | ScPO4 · 2H2O | Mon. 2/m |
Phosphosiderite | FePO4 · 2H2O | Mon. 2/m |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
41 photos of Metavariscite associated with Fluellite | Al2(PO4)F2(OH) · 7H2O |
29 photos of Metavariscite associated with Variscite | AlPO4 · 2H2O |
6 photos of Metavariscite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
1 photo of Metavariscite associated with Bariosincosite | Ba(VO)2(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
1 photo of Metavariscite associated with Montgomeryite | Ca4MgAl4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 12H2O |
1 photo of Metavariscite associated with Minyulite | KAl2(PO4)2F · 4H2O |
1 photo of Metavariscite associated with Vivianite | Fe2+Fe2+2(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
1 photo of Metavariscite associated with Crandallite | CaAl3(PO4)(PO3OH)(OH)6 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
8.CD. | Castellaroite | Mn2+3(AsO4)2 · 4H2O |
8.CD. | Sergeysmirnovite | MgZn2(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
8.CD.05 | Kolbeckite | ScPO4 · 2H2O |
8.CD.05 | Phosphosiderite | FePO4 · 2H2O |
8.CD.05 | Bonacinaite | Sc(AsO4) · 2H2O |
8.CD.10 | Mansfieldite | AlAsO4 · 2H2O |
8.CD.10 | Scorodite | Fe3+AsO4 · 2H2O |
8.CD.10 | Strengite | FePO4 · 2H2O |
8.CD.10 | Variscite | AlPO4 · 2H2O |
8.CD.10 | Yanomamite | InAsO4 · 2H2O |
8.CD.15 | Parascorodite | FeAsO4 · 2H2O |
8.CD.20 | Ludlamite | Fe2+3(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
8.CD.25 | Sterlinghillite | Mn2+3(AsO4)2 · 3H2O |
8.CD.30 | Rollandite | Cu3(AsO4)2 · 4H2O |
8.CD.35 | Liversidgeite | Zn6(PO4)4 · 7H2O |
8.CD.40 | Thorasphite | Th2H(PO4,AsO4)3 · 6H2O |
Fluorescence of Metavariscite
Not fluorescent in UV
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 Metavariscite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2694.html
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References for Metavariscite
Reference List:
Kolitsch, Uwe, Weil, Matthias, Kovrugin, Vadim M., Krivovichev, Sergey V. (2020) Crystal chemistry of the variscite and metavariscite groups: Crystal structures of synthetic CrAsO4⋅2H2O, TlPO4⋅2H2O, MnSeO4⋅2H2O, CdSeO4⋅2H2O and natural bonacinaite, ScAsO4⋅2H2O. Mineralogical Magazine, 84 (4) 568-583 doi:10.1180/mgm.2020.57
Localities for Metavariscite
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.
Australia | |
| Peter Downes et al. (2018) |
| Nickel (2008) |
Austria | |
| Niedermayr (1984) +1 other reference |
Bolivia | |
| Kempff et al. (La Paz, 2009) |
Brazil | |
| Lamoso et al. (2017) |
Colombia | |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
Czech Republic | |
| Breiter K. |
| Vrtiška L et al. (2017) |
Germany | |
| Lapis (1) |
| T. Witzke & F. Rüger: Lapis 1998 (7/8) |
Liberia | |
| a reconnaissance report. USGS Bulletin ... +1 other reference |
Poland | |
| Wieser T. (ŚWIĘTOKRZYSKIE MTS.) |
Russia | |
| Rychagov et al. (2017, November) |
South Africa | |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) |
Spain | |
| Mineralogistes de Catalunya (1997) |
| Calvo et al. (2003) |
UK | |
| Elton (1996) |
USA | |
| Howard (1987) |
| Ream (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
Castor et al. (2004) | |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Kampf et al. (2016) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| David M. Lowe Collection. Analyzed by ... |
| American Mineralogist (1925) +1 other reference |
J. Marty (1995) | |
| Hawley (1934) |
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Lucin Mining District, Box Elder County, Utah, USA