Castellaroite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Castellaroite
My friend Fabrizio Castellaro
Formula:
Mn2+3(AsO4)2 · 4H2O
Colour:
colorless
Lustre:
Vitreous, Silky
Hardness:
3½
Specific Gravity:
3.14
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in honour of the mineral collector Fabrizio Castellaro who has discovered castellaroite, but also balestraite, cerchiaraite-(Fe) and lavinskyite-1M.
Probably a polymorph of sterlinghillite. Structurally related to metaswitzerite.
A higher hydrate (octahydrate) is manganohörnesite.
A higher hydrate (octahydrate) is manganohörnesite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
46905
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:46905:0
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
6f9039d8-7aae-4511-ac97-64049651b68f
Classification of Castellaroite
IMA Classification of Castellaroite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Mn2+3(AsO4)2 · 4.5H2O
Approval year:
2015
8.CD.
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
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ctr | 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 Castellaroite
Vitreous, Silky
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
colorless
Streak:
white
Hardness:
3½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Flexible
Cleavage:
Perfect
{001}
{001}
Density:
3.14(2) g/cm3 (Measured) 3.164 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Castellaroite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.644(1) nβ = 1.662(1) nγ = 1.667(1)
2V:
Measured: 57° (1)
Birefringence:
0.023
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.023
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:
Moderate
Dispersion:
moderate r < v
Chemistry of Castellaroite
Mindat Formula:
Mn2+3(AsO4)2 · 4H2O
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Castellaroite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.752(2) Å, b = 13.463(4) Å, c = 18.636(6) Å
β = 94.851(7)°, γ = °
β = 94.851(7)°, γ = °
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.65 : 1 : 1.384
Unit Cell V:
2,187.98 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
8
Morphology:
Thin blades, flattened on [001], striated and elongated parallel to [100] and exhibiting the forms {110}, {012} and {001}.
Comment:
P21/n
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 10.9056 Å | (100) |
| 9.2922 Å | (84) |
| 7.6485 Å | (4) |
| 6.9849 Å | (28) |
| 6.6529 Å | (22) |
| 5.6280 Å | (3) |
| 5.5618 Å | (5) |
| 5.1963 Å | (7) |
| 4.7313 Å | (5) |
| 4.5714 Å | (10) |
| 4.3624 Å | (7) |
| 4.1487 Å | (3) |
| 4.0424 Å | (8) |
| 3.9920 Å | (2) |
| 3.8721 Å | (2) |
| 3.8258 Å | (6) |
| 3.7207 Å | (8) |
| 3.6352 Å | (11) |
| 3.6172 Å | (3) |
| 3.5963 Å | (22) |
| 3.4158 Å | (18) |
| 3.3244 Å | (22) |
| 3.3131 Å | (3) |
| 3.2285 Å | (6) |
| 3.2229 Å | (2) |
| 3.1286 Å | (7) |
| 3.1261 Å | (12) |
| 3.0878 Å | (3) |
| 3.0534 Å | (50) |
| 3.0213 Å | (15) |
| 2.9773 Å | (6) |
| 2.9583 Å | (5) |
Comments:
KAMPF, ANTHONY R., CÁMARA, FERNANDO, CIRIOTTI, MARCO E., NASH, BARBARA P., BALESTRA, CORRADO, and CHIAPPINO, LUIGI (2016) Castellaroite, Mn2+3(AsO4)2· 4.5 H2O, a new mineral from Italy related to metaswitzerite, European Journal of Mineralogy, 28, 687-696.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 46 : Near-surface hydrothermal alteration of minerals (see also #22) | |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] | |
| 47e : [Vanadates, chromates, manganates] | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals |
Type Occurrence of Castellaroite
Co-Type Localities:
General Appearance of Type Material:
thin blades, flattened on [001], striated and elongated parallel to [100] and exhibiting the forms {110}, {012} and {001}.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Type material is deposited in the mineralogical collections of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90007, USA, cataloguenumbers 65603 (holotype - MN) and 65604 (cotype - MN), and the Museo Regionale
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Secondary arsenate mineral
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Castellaroite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 1 photo of Castellaroite associated with Wallkilldellite | Ca2Mn2+3(AsO4)2(OH)4 · 9H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.CD. | Sergeysmirnovite | MgZn2(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CD.05 | Kolbeckite | ScPO4 · 2H2O |
| 8.CD.05 | Metavariscite | AlPO4 · 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 |
Other Information
Notes:
easily soluble in dilute HCl at room temperature
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 Castellaroite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-46905.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Castellaroite
Reference List:
Hålenius, U., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2015) New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2015, CNMNC Newsletter no 28. Mineralogical Magazine, 79 (7) 1859-1864 doi:10.1180/minmag.2015.079.7.18
Localities for Castellaroite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The 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).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Italy | |
| Castellaro et al. (2021) |
| Mineralogical Magazine +2 other references |
| Mineralogical Magazine +2 other references |
USA | |
| Earl Verbeek |
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Monte Nero Mine, Rocchetta di Vara, La Spezia Province, Liguria, Italy