In honour of Prosper John Williams (1910–2001), of Toronto and Vancouver, Canada, South African-Canadian mineral dealer, supplier of many Tsumeb specimens.

Type Locality:

ⓘ Tsumeb Mine (Ongopolo Mine), Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia

This page provides mineralogical data about Prosperite.

Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:

3288

Long-form identifier:

mindat:1:1:3288:5

GUID
(UUID V4):

82858702-1192-48fd-b27e-4c663576fd01

Classification of ProsperiteHide

IMA status:

Approved

First published:

1979

Strunz-mindat (2023):

8.CA.60

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H₂O
A : With small and large/medium cations

Dana 8th ed.:

40.2.4.1

40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
2 : AB₂(XO₄)₂·xH₂O

Hey's CIM Ref.:

20.3.10

20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
3 : Arsenates of Zn, Cd or Hg

Mineral SymbolsHide

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

Symbol	Source	Reference
Ppe	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 ProsperiteHide

Lustre:

Vitreous, Silky

Transparency:

Translucent

Colour:

Colourless, white

Comment:

Dense aggregates of crystals show a very faint blue tint.

Streak:

White

Hardness:

4½ on Mohs scale

Density:

4.31(1) g/cm³ (Measured) 4.40 g/cm³ (Calculated)

Optical Data of ProsperiteHide

Type:

Biaxial (+)

RI values:

n_α = 1.746(2) n_β = 1.748(2) n_γ = 1.768(2)

2V:

Measured: 34° (2), Calculated: 36°

Max Birefringence:

δ = 0.022

Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.

Surface Relief:

High

Dispersion:

r >> v.

Optical Extinction:

Y = b; Z ∧ c = 27°.

Chemical Properties of ProsperiteHide

Formula:

Ca₂Zn₄(AsO₄)₄ · H₂O

Previously given as CaZn2(AsO4)(HAsO4)(OH).

Elements listed:

As, Ca, H, O, Zn - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of ProsperiteHide

Crystal System:

Monoclinic

Cell Parameters:

a = 19.238(2) Å, b = 7.731(1) Å, c = 9.765(1) Å
β = 104.47(1)°

Ratio:

a:b:c = 2.488 : 1 : 1.263

Unit Cell V:

1,406.27 Å³ (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Morphology:

Slender prismatic crystals in radiating groups and as subparallel aggregates in sheaf-like arrangements. Larger acicular prisms may be composed of several smaller crystals in parallel orientation. Elongate parallel to [001]. In order of decreasing importance, the forms are: a{100}, d{10t}, m{110}, p{111}, z{421}, n{540), k{210}, l{310}, o{301} and x{112}.

Twinning:

No evidence of twinning was found by single-crystal X-ray study or with the petrographic microscope and the universal stage (type material).

Comment:

Point Group: 2/m or m. ; Space Group: C2/c or Cc.

Crystal StructureHide

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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)
0010846	Prosperite	Keller P, Riffel H, Hess H (1982) Die kristallstruktur von prosperit, Ca2Zn4[H2O\|(AsO4)4] Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 158 33-42		1982	Tsumeb, Nambia	0	293

CIF Raw Data - click here to close

data_global
_chemical_name_mineral 'Prosperite'
loop_
_publ_author_name
'Keller P'
'Riffel H'
'Hess H'
_journal_name_full 'Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie'
_journal_volume 158 
_journal_year 1982
_journal_page_first 33
_journal_page_last 42
_publ_section_title
;
 Die kristallstruktur von prosperit, Ca2Zn4[H2O|(AsO4)4]
;
_database_code_amcsd 0010846
_chemical_compound_source 'Tsumeb, Nambia'
_chemical_formula_sum 'Ca2 Zn4 As4 O17 H2'
_cell_length_a 19.2380
_cell_length_b 7.731
_cell_length_c 9.765
_cell_angle_alpha 90
_cell_angle_beta 104.47
_cell_angle_gamma 90
_cell_volume 1406.268
_exptl_crystal_density_diffrn      4.324
_symmetry_space_group_name_H-M 'C 1 2/c 1'
loop_
_space_group_symop_operation_xyz
  'x,y,z'
  '1/2+x,1/2+y,z'
  'x,-y,1/2+z'
  '1/2+x,1/2-y,1/2+z'
  '-x,y,1/2-z'
  '1/2-x,1/2+y,1/2-z'
  '-x,-y,-z'
  '1/2-x,1/2-y,-z'
loop_
_atom_site_label
_atom_site_fract_x
_atom_site_fract_y
_atom_site_fract_z
_atom_site_U_iso_or_equiv
Ca   0.09130   0.26380   0.39640   0.00709
Zn1   0.39570   0.41210   0.29180   0.01545
Zn2   0.28590   0.07160   0.01300   0.00722
As1   0.24350   0.24220   0.29520   0.00583
As2   0.43790   0.27760   0.01540   0.00671
O1   0.18760   0.39410   0.33110   0.00912
O2   0.41490   0.44300   0.10730   0.01343
O3   0.23130   0.21940   0.11990   0.00937
O4   0.39340   0.09490   0.02880   0.01305
O5   0.21740   0.05870   0.35940   0.01305
O6   0.07110   0.15250   0.15290   0.01343
O7   0.33020   0.28320   0.37490   0.01064
O8   0.47350   0.23820   0.41920   0.01330
Wat9   0.00000   0.45090   0.25000   0.01925
loop_
_atom_site_aniso_label
_atom_site_aniso_U_11
_atom_site_aniso_U_22
_atom_site_aniso_U_33
_atom_site_aniso_U_12
_atom_site_aniso_U_13
_atom_site_aniso_U_23
Ca 0.00703 0.01090 0.00498 -0.00365 0.00089 0.00185
Zn1 0.02461 0.01272 0.01268 -0.00875 0.01160 -0.00407
Zn2 0.00879 0.00696 0.00725 0.00073 0.00178 0.00037
As1 0.00527 0.00636 0.00634 0.00000 0.00178 0.00000
As2 0.00703 0.00696 0.00725 0.00000 0.00268 0.00074
O1 0.00527 0.01120 0.01223 0.00146 0.00178 -0.00555
O2 0.01758 0.01211 0.01087 0.00219 0.00803 -0.00111
O3 0.01406 0.01029 0.00679 0.00365 0.00446 0.00074
O4 0.00703 0.01029 0.02265 0.00000 0.00268 0.00704
O5 0.01406 0.01453 0.01404 0.00000 0.00357 0.00555
O6 0.02109 0.01120 0.00906 0.00073 0.00357 0.00259
O7 0.00527 0.01847 0.00861 -0.00292 -0.00089 0.00074
O8 0.00703 0.01423 0.01540 -0.00073 0.00357 0.00148
Wat9 0.01934 0.01393 0.01540 0.00000 -0.00357 0.00000

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:

d-spacing	Intensity
2.723 Å	(100)
2.992 Å	(90)
3.11 Å	(80)
3.78 Å	(70)
3.36 Å	(60)
2.614 Å	(60)
3.86 Å	(50)

Comments:

Tsumeb Mine, Namibia. Data from the type description.

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):

Paragenetic Mode	Earliest Age (Ga)
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event	<2.4
47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals]
47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates]

Type Occurrence of ProsperiteHide

Type Locality:

ⓘ Tsumeb Mine (Ongopolo Mine), Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia

General Appearance of Type Material:

Slender prismatic crystals in radiating groups. Crystals up to 10 mm long and 1 mm in diameter. Also as subparallel aggregates in sheaf-like arrangements.

Place of Conservation of Type Material:

Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M35388, M35389, M35391.
The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1978,19.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 143732, 143733.

Geological Setting of Type Material:

A secondary mineral formed in bugs in partially altered massive sulfide ore.

Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Tsumcorite	Tennantite Subgroup	Stranskiite	O'Danielite	Native Amalgam
Lavendulan	Lavendulan	Koritnigite	Cuprite	Cuprite
Cuprite	Conichalcite	Chalcocite	Austinite

Reference:

GAIT, R.I., STURMAN, B.D. & DUNN, P.J. (1979): Prosperite, HcaZn2(AsO4)2(OH), a new mineral from Tsumeb, South West Africa (Namibia). Canadian Mineralogist 17, 87-92.

Synonyms of ProsperiteHide

IMA1978-028

Other Language Names for ProsperiteHide

German:Prosperit

Russian:Просперит

Spanish:Prosperita

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping Hide

8.CA.	Davidlloydite	Zn₃(AsO₄)₂ · 4H₂O	Tric. 1 : P1
8.CA.	Apexite	NaMg(PO₄) · 9H₂O	Tric. 1 : P1
8.CA.	Brandãoite	BeAl₂(PO₄)₂(OH)₂(H₂O)₅	Tric. 1 : P1
8.CA.05	Fransoletite	Ca₃Be₂(PO₄)₂(PO₃OH)₂ · 4H₂O	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
8.CA.05	Parafransoletite	Ca₃Be₂(PO₄)₂(PO₃OH)₂ · 4H₂O	Tric. 1 : P1
8.CA.10	Ehrleite	Ca₄Be₃Zn₂(PO₄)₆ · 9H₂O	Tric. 1 : P1
8.CA.15	Faheyite	Be₂Mn²⁺Fe³⁺₂(PO₄)₄ · 6H₂O	Trig. 3 2 : P3₁ 2 1
8.CA.20	Gainesite	Na(Na,K)(Be,Li)Zr₂(PO₄)₄ · 1.5-2H₂O	Tet. 4mm : I4₁md
8.CA.20	Mccrillisite	NaCs(Be,Li)Zr₂(PO₄)₄ · 1-2H₂O	Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : I4₁/amd
8.CA.20	Selwynite	NaK(Be,Al)Zr₂(PO₄)₄ · 2H₂O	Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : I4₁/amd
8.CA.25	Pahasapaite	Li₈(Ca,Li,K)_10.5Be₂₄(PO₄)₂₄ · 38H₂O	Iso. 2 3 : I2 3
8.CA.30	Hopeite	ZnZn₂(PO₄)₂ · 4H₂O	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma
8.CA.30	Arsenohopeite	Zn₃(AsO₄)₂ · 4H₂O	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma
8.CA.30	Nizamoffite	Mn²⁺Zn₂(PO₄)₂(H₂O)₄	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbcm
8.CA.30	Unnamed (Mg-analogue of Hopeite)	Mg₃(PO₄)₂ · 4H₂O
8.CA.35	Warikahnite	Zn₃(AsO₄)₂ · 2H₂O	Tric. 1 : P1
8.CA.40	Phosphophyllite	Zn₂Fe(PO₄)₂ · 4H₂O	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
8.CA.42	Steinmetzite	Zn₂Fe³⁺(PO₄)₂(OH) · 3H₂O	Tric. 1 : P1
8.CA.45	Parascholzite	CaZn₂(PO₄)₂ · 2H₂O	Mon.
8.CA.45	Scholzite	CaZn₂(PO₄)₂ · 2H₂O	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbcm
8.CA.50	Keyite	Cu²⁺₃Zn₄Cd₂(AsO₄)₆ · 2H₂O	Mon. 2/m
8.CA.55	Pushcharovskite	K_0.6Cu₁₈[AsO₂(OH)₂]₄[AsO₃OH]₁₀(AsO₄)(OH)_9.6 · 18.6H₂O	Tric.
8.CA.65	Gengenbachite	KFe³⁺₃(PO₃OH)₄[PO₂(OH)₂]₂ · 6H₂O	Trig. 3m : P3 1c
8.CA.70	Parahopeite	Zn₃(PO₄)₂ · 4H₂O	Tric. 1 : P1
8.CA.70	Reaphookhillite	MgZn₂(PO₄)₂ · 4H₂O	Tric. 1 : P1
8.CA.75	Stergiouite	CaZn₂(AsO₄)₂ · 4H₂O	Mon. m : Pb
8.CA.80	Limousinite	BaCa[Be₄P₄O₁₆] · 6H₂O	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
8.CA.85	Minjiangite	BaBe₂(PO₄)₂	Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P6/mmm
8.CA.85	Wilancookite	(Ba₅Li₂◻)Ba₆Be₂₄P₂₄O₉₆ · 26H₂O	Iso. 2 3 : I2 3

Fluorescence of ProsperiteHide

In UV light:

Not fluorescent.

Other InformationHide

IR Spectrum:

The infrared spectra indicates the presence of (OH).

Thermal Behaviour:

A prominent endothermic peak at 655°C is related to a 4.0 wt. % loss occurring between 469° and 682°C with the main loss between 641° and 665°C.

Health Risks:

No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

References for ProsperiteHide

Reference List:

Sort by Year (asc) | by Year (desc) | by Author (A-Z) | by Author (Z-A)

Gait, R.I., Sturman, B.D., Dunn, P.J. (1979): Prosperite, HCaZn2(AsO4)2(OH), a new mineral from Tsumeb, South West Africa (Namibia). The Canadian Mineralogist, 17, 87-92.

Fleischer, M., Pabst, A., Mandarino, J.A. (1980) New mineral names. American Mineralogist, 65, 205-210 (208).

Keller, P., Riffel, H., Hess, H. (1982): Die Kristallstruktur von Prosperit, Ca2Zn4[H2O/(AsO4)4]. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, 158, 33-42 (in German).

Internet Links for ProsperiteHide

mindat.org URL:

https://www.mindat.org/min-3288.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Search Engines:

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External Links:

Look for Prosperite on Webmineral

Look for Prosperite on Wikipedia

Look for Prosperite on Mineralien Atlas

Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project

References and PDF downloads at RRUFF project

American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database

Handbook of Mineralogy page PDF

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Localities for ProsperiteHide

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.

Namibia (TL)

Oshikoto Region

Tsumeb

ⓘ Tsumeb Mine (Ongopolo Mine) (TL)

Gait, R.I., Sturman, B.D., Dunn, P.J. (1979) Prosperite, HcaZn2(AsO4)2(OH), a new mineral from Tsumeb, South West Africa (Namibia). The Canadian Mineralogist: 17: 87-92. Abstract: American Mineralogist (1980): 65: 208.; Keller, P., Riffel, H., Hess, H. (1982) Die Kristallstruktur von Prosperit, Ca2Zn4[H2O/(AsO4)4]. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie: 158: 33-42 (in German).

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Prosperite

About ProsperiteHide