Tiptopite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Tiptopite
Formula:
K2(Na,Ca)2Li3Be6(PO4)6(OH)2 · H2O
Colour:
Colourless
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3½
Specific Gravity:
2.65
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Name:
Named after its discovery locality, the Tip Top pegmatite, near Custer, South Dakota, USA
This page provides mineralogical data about Tiptopite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3973
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3973:0
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
9d2f996e-7261-4fee-8a94-3e01b2cc62e6
IMA Classification of Tiptopite
Approved
IMA Formula:
K2(Li,Na,Ca)6(Be6P6)O24(OH)2 · 1.3H2O
Approval year:
1983
First published:
1985
Type description reference:
Classification of Tiptopite
8.DA.25
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
A : With small (and occasionally larger) cations
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
A : With small (and occasionally larger) cations
42.6.11.1
42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
6 : A2(XO4)Zq·xH2O
42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
6 : A2(XO4)Zq·xH2O
19.3.10
19 : Phosphates
3 : Phosphates of Be and Mg
19 : Phosphates
3 : Phosphates of Be and Mg
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 |
---|---|---|
Tpt | 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 Tiptopite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
2.65(2) g/cm3 (Measured) 2.52 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Average density (4 measurements) in Grice et al. (1985)
Optical Data of Tiptopite
Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 1.551(1) nε = 1.559(1)
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.008
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
Chemistry of Tiptopite
Mindat Formula:
K2(Na,Ca)2Li3Be6(PO4)6(OH)2 · H2O
Crystallography of Tiptopite
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Class (H-M):
6 - Pyramidal
Space Group:
P63
Cell Parameters:
a = 11.655(5) Å, c = 4.692(2) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.403
Unit Cell V:
551.97 ų
Z:
1
Morphology:
Simple; elongate hexagonal prism {100} and a basal pinacoid {001}.
Crystal Structure
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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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0001111 | Tiptopite | Peacor D R, Rouse R C, Ahn J-H (1987) Crystal structure of tiptopite, a framework beryllophosphate isotypic with basic cancrinite American Mineralogist 72 816-820 | 1987 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
2.966 Å | (100) |
2.525 Å | (90) |
2.348 Å | (70) |
2.223 Å | (60) |
1.459 Å | (60) |
3.364 Å | (50) |
2.077 Å | (50) |
3.808 Å | (40) |
3.652 Å | (40) |
1.943 Å | (40) |
1.606 Å | (40) |
Comments:
Tip Top Mine, South Dakota, USA. The data are from the type description.
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] |
Type Occurrence of Tiptopite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Radial sprays of colorless needles. Individual crystals are prismatic and sometimes have cavernous tubes at the ends. Crystals are generally 1-2 mm in length and less than 0.1 mm in width.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural Sciences, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, number NMNS #48833.
National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian Institution), Washington, D.C., USA, number #149609.
Museum of Geology, South Dakota School of Mines, Rapid City, South Dakota, USA, numbers SDSM & T #81-5102.
National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian Institution), Washington, D.C., USA, number #149609.
Museum of Geology, South Dakota School of Mines, Rapid City, South Dakota, USA, numbers SDSM & T #81-5102.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Phosphate-rich granite pegmatite, usually along fracture surfaces in beryl.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Grice, J.D., Peacor, D.R., Robinson, G.W., Van Velthuizen, J., Roberts, W.L., Campbell, T.J., Dunn, P.J. (1985) Tiptopite (Li,K,Na,Ca, )8Be6(PO4)6(OH)4, a new mineral species from the Black Hills, South Dakota. The Canadian Mineralogist: 23: 43-46.
Synonyms of Tiptopite
Other Language Names for Tiptopite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
38 photos of Tiptopite associated with Roscherite | Ca2Mn2+5Be4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 6H2O |
36 photos of Tiptopite associated with Montgomeryite | Ca4MgAl4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 12H2O |
23 photos of Tiptopite associated with Englishite | K3Na2Ca10Al15(PO4)21(OH)7 · 26H2O |
13 photos of Tiptopite associated with Beryl | Be3Al2(Si6O18) |
11 photos of Tiptopite associated with Hurlbutite | CaBe2(PO4)2 |
7 photos of Tiptopite associated with Fairfieldite | Ca2Mn2+(PO4)2 · 2H2O |
6 photos of Tiptopite associated with Fransoletite | Ca3Be2(PO4)2(PO3OH)2 · 4H2O |
5 photos of Tiptopite associated with Pahasapaite | Li8(Ca,Li,K)10.5Be24(PO4)24 · 38H2O |
5 photos of Tiptopite associated with Whiteite-(CaMnMg) | {Ca}{Mn2+}{Mg2}{Al2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2O |
2 photos of Tiptopite associated with Robertsite | Ca2Mn3+3(PO4)3O2 · 3H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
8.DA.05 | Bearsite | Be2(AsO4)(OH) · 4H2O |
8.DA.05 | Moraesite | Be2(PO4)(OH) · 4H2O |
8.DA.10 | Roscherite | Ca2Mn2+5Be4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 6H2O |
8.DA.10 | Zanazziite | Ca2Mg5Be4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 6H2O |
8.DA.10 | Greifensteinite | Ca2Fe2+5Be4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 6H2O |
8.DA.10 | Atencioite | Ca2Fe2+3Mg2Be4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 6H2O |
8.DA.10 | Ruifrancoite | Ca2(◻,Mn)2(Fe3+,Mn,Mg)4Be4(PO4)6(OH)4(OH,H2O)2 · 4H2O |
8.DA.10 | Guimarãesite | Ca2Be4Zn5(PO4)6(OH)4 · 6H2O |
8.DA.10 | Footemineite | Ca2Mn2+Mn2+2Mn2+2Be4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 6H2O |
8.DA.10 | Okruschite | Ca2Mn2+5Be4(AsO4)6(OH)4 · 6H2O |
8.DA.15 | Uralolite | Ca2Be4(PO4)3(OH)3 · 5H2O |
8.DA.20 | Weinebeneite | CaBe3(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2O |
8.DA.40 | Spencerite | Zn4(PO4)2(OH)2 · 3H2O |
8.DA.45 | Glucine | CaBe4(PO4)2(OH)4 · 0.5H2O |
Fluorescence of Tiptopite
Does not fluoresce
Other Information
Notes:
Only slightly soluble in 30% HCl.
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 Tiptopite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3973.html
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References for Tiptopite
Reference List:
Hassan, I., Grundy, H. D. (1984) The crystal structures of sodalite-group minerals. Acta Crystallographica Section B Structural Science, 40 (1) 6-13 doi:10.1107/s0108768184001683
Grice, Joel D., Peacor, Donald R., Robinson, George W., Van Velthuizen, Jerry, Roberts, Willard L., Campbell, Thomas J., Dunn, Pete J. (1985) Tiptopite (Li,K,Na,Ca,◻)8Be6(PO4)6(OH)4, a new mineral species from the Black Hills, South Dakota. The Canadian Mineralogist, 23 (1) 43-46
Localities for Tiptopite
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.
USA (TL) | |
| Grice et al. (1985) |
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Tip Top Mine, Fourmile, Custer Mining District, Custer County, South Dakota, USA