Brushite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Brushite
George Jarvis Brush
Formula:
Ca(PO3OH) · 2H2O
Colour:
Colorless, light yellow; colorless in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Sub-Vitreous, Pearly, Earthy
Hardness:
2½
Specific Gravity:
2.30 - 2.33
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named by Gideon E. Moore in 1865 in honor of American mineralogist George Jarvis Brush (December 15, 1831 Brooklyn, NY, USA - February 6, 1912 New Haven, CT, USA), Professor, Yale University.
Type Locality:
Isostructural with:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
793
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:793:9
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
220b9f34-e67a-4f91-9b33-12bdae179d62
Classification of Brushite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
8.CJ.50
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
J : With only large cations
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
J : With only large cations
39.1.1.1
39 : HYDRATED ACID PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
1 : A[HXO4]·xH2O
39 : HYDRATED ACID PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
1 : A[HXO4]·xH2O
19.4.3
19 : Phosphates
4 : Phosphates of Ca
19 : Phosphates
4 : Phosphates of Ca
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bsh | 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 Brushite
Sub-Vitreous, Pearly, Earthy
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Comment:
Pearly on cleavages.
Colour:
Colorless, light yellow; colorless in transmitted light.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {010} and {001}, perfect.
On {010} and {001}, perfect.
Density:
2.30 - 2.33 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.32 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
2.326 (artificial crystals).
Optical Data of Brushite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.539 - 1.540 nβ = 1.544 - 1.546 nγ = 1.551 - 1.552
2V:
Measured: 59° to 87°, Calculated: 80°
Birefringence:
0.012
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.012
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 , crossed
Optical Extinction:
X ∧ c = 30°; Z = b.
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemical Properties of Brushite
Formula:
Ca(PO3OH) · 2H2O
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Brushite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
m - Domatic
Space Group:
Bb
Setting:
Cc
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.812(2) Å, b = 15.180(3) Å, c = 6.239(2) Å
β = 116.43(3)°
β = 116.43(3)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.383 : 1 : 0.411
Unit Cell V:
492.91 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Crystals minute, acicular or prismatic to tabular {010}. Efflorescences, cavity linings. Earthy, powdery, foliated.
Comment:
Cell from Curry and Jones (1971).
Crystal Structure
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0008880 | Brushite | Schofield P F, Knight K S, van der Houwen J A M, Valsami-Jones E (2004) The role of hydrogen bonding in the thermal expansion and dehydration of brushite, di-calcium phosphate dihydrate Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 31 606-624 | 2004 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0008881 | Brushite | Schofield P F, Knight K S, van der Houwen J A M, Valsami-Jones E (2004) The role of hydrogen bonding in the thermal expansion and dehydration of brushite, di-calcium phosphate dihydrate Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 31 606-624 | 2004 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0008882 | Brushite | Schofield P F, Knight K S, van der Houwen J A M, Valsami-Jones E (2004) The role of hydrogen bonding in the thermal expansion and dehydration of brushite, di-calcium phosphate dihydrate Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 31 606-624 | 2004 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0008883 | Brushite | Schofield P F, Knight K S, van der Houwen J A M, Valsami-Jones E (2004) The role of hydrogen bonding in the thermal expansion and dehydration of brushite, di-calcium phosphate dihydrate Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 31 606-624 | 2004 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0008884 | Brushite | Schofield P F, Knight K S, van der Houwen J A M, Valsami-Jones E (2004) The role of hydrogen bonding in the thermal expansion and dehydration of brushite, di-calcium phosphate dihydrate Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 31 606-624 | 2004 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0008885 | Brushite | Schofield P F, Knight K S, van der Houwen J A M, Valsami-Jones E (2004) The role of hydrogen bonding in the thermal expansion and dehydration of brushite, di-calcium phosphate dihydrate Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 31 606-624 | 2004 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0008886 | Brushite | Schofield P F, Knight K S, van der Houwen J A M, Valsami-Jones E (2004) The role of hydrogen bonding in the thermal expansion and dehydration of brushite, di-calcium phosphate dihydrate Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 31 606-624 | 2004 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0008887 | Brushite | Schofield P F, Knight K S, van der Houwen J A M, Valsami-Jones E (2004) The role of hydrogen bonding in the thermal expansion and dehydration of brushite, di-calcium phosphate dihydrate Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 31 606-624 | 2004 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0008888 | Brushite | Schofield P F, Knight K S, van der Houwen J A M, Valsami-Jones E (2004) The role of hydrogen bonding in the thermal expansion and dehydration of brushite, di-calcium phosphate dihydrate Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 31 606-624 | 2004 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0008889 | Brushite | Schofield P F, Knight K S, van der Houwen J A M, Valsami-Jones E (2004) The role of hydrogen bonding in the thermal expansion and dehydration of brushite, di-calcium phosphate dihydrate Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 31 606-624 | 2004 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0008890 | Brushite | Schofield P F, Knight K S, van der Houwen J A M, Valsami-Jones E (2004) The role of hydrogen bonding in the thermal expansion and dehydration of brushite, di-calcium phosphate dihydrate Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 31 606-624 | 2004 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0008891 | Brushite | Schofield P F, Knight K S, van der Houwen J A M, Valsami-Jones E (2004) The role of hydrogen bonding in the thermal expansion and dehydration of brushite, di-calcium phosphate dihydrate Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 31 606-624 | 2004 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0008892 | Brushite | Schofield P F, Knight K S, van der Houwen J A M, Valsami-Jones E (2004) The role of hydrogen bonding in the thermal expansion and dehydration of brushite, di-calcium phosphate dihydrate Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 31 606-624 | 2004 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0008893 | Brushite | Schofield P F, Knight K S, van der Houwen J A M, Valsami-Jones E (2004) The role of hydrogen bonding in the thermal expansion and dehydration of brushite, di-calcium phosphate dihydrate Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 31 606-624 | 2004 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0008894 | Brushite | Schofield P F, Knight K S, van der Houwen J A M, Valsami-Jones E (2004) The role of hydrogen bonding in the thermal expansion and dehydration of brushite, di-calcium phosphate dihydrate Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 31 606-624 | 2004 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0008895 | Brushite | Schofield P F, Knight K S, van der Houwen J A M, Valsami-Jones E (2004) The role of hydrogen bonding in the thermal expansion and dehydration of brushite, di-calcium phosphate dihydrate Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 31 606-624 | 2004 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0008896 | Brushite | Schofield P F, Knight K S, van der Houwen J A M, Valsami-Jones E (2004) The role of hydrogen bonding in the thermal expansion and dehydration of brushite, di-calcium phosphate dihydrate Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 31 606-624 | 2004 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0008897 | Brushite | Schofield P F, Knight K S, van der Houwen J A M, Valsami-Jones E (2004) The role of hydrogen bonding in the thermal expansion and dehydration of brushite, di-calcium phosphate dihydrate Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 31 606-624 | 2004 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0008898 | Brushite | Schofield P F, Knight K S, van der Houwen J A M, Valsami-Jones E (2004) The role of hydrogen bonding in the thermal expansion and dehydration of brushite, di-calcium phosphate dihydrate Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 31 606-624 | 2004 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0008899 | Brushite | Schofield P F, Knight K S, van der Houwen J A M, Valsami-Jones E (2004) The role of hydrogen bonding in the thermal expansion and dehydration of brushite, di-calcium phosphate dihydrate Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 31 606-624 | 2004 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0008900 | Brushite | Schofield P F, Knight K S, van der Houwen J A M, Valsami-Jones E (2004) The role of hydrogen bonding in the thermal expansion and dehydration of brushite, di-calcium phosphate dihydrate Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 31 606-624 | 2004 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0008901 | Brushite | Schofield P F, Knight K S, van der Houwen J A M, Valsami-Jones E (2004) The role of hydrogen bonding in the thermal expansion and dehydration of brushite, di-calcium phosphate dihydrate Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 31 606-624 | 2004 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0008902 | Brushite | Schofield P F, Knight K S, van der Houwen J A M, Valsami-Jones E (2004) The role of hydrogen bonding in the thermal expansion and dehydration of brushite, di-calcium phosphate dihydrate Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 31 606-624 | 2004 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 7.62 Å | (100) |
| 4.27 Å | (10) |
| 3.80 Å | (30) |
| 3.06 Å | (10) |
| 2.93 Å | (10) |
| 2.63 Å | (10) |
| 2.53 Å | (10) |
| 1.90 Å | (10) |
Comments:
ICDD 11-293, also 9-77 (synthetic)
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 21 : Chemically precipitated carbonate, phosphate, iron formations | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 49 : Oxic cellular biomineralization (see also #44) | <0.54 |
| 52 : Guano- and urine-derived minerals | <0.4 |
Geological Setting:
In biological phosphate as well as sedimentary phosphate deposits; incrustations on ancient bones and crypts. May form due to run-off from heavily fertilized fields.
Type Occurrence of Brushite
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Cave guano deposit.
Synonyms of Brushite
Other Language Names for Brushite
Relationship of Brushite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
| Churchite-(Y) | Y(PO4) · 2H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O | Mon. 2/m |
| Pharmacolite | Ca(HAsO4) · 2H2O | Mon. m |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 2 photos of Brushite associated with Montmorillonite | (Na,Ca)0.33(Al,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O |
| 1 photo of Brushite associated with Wardite | NaAl3(PO4)2(OH)4 · 2H2O |
| 1 photo of Brushite associated with Variscite | AlPO4 · 2H2O |
| 1 photo of Brushite associated with Whiteite Subgroup | XM1M22M32(H2O)8(OH)2(PO4)4 |
| 1 photo of Brushite associated with Anatase | TiO2 |
| 1 photo of Brushite associated with Apatite | Ca5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH) |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.CJ. | Sainfeldite | Ca5(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)2 · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| 8.CJ. | Caesiumpharmacosiderite | CsFe4[(AsO4)3(OH)4] · 4H2O | Iso. 4 3m : P4 3m |
| 8.CJ. | Jeankempite | Ca5(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 7H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| 8.CJ. | Airdite | Sr(V4+O)2(PO4)2 · 4H2O | Mon. m : Bb |
| 8.CJ. | Dobšináite | Ca2Ca(AsO4)2 · 2H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| 8.CJ.05 | Stercorite | (NH4)Na(PO3OH) · 4H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| 8.CJ.10 | Mundrabillaite | (NH4)2Ca(PO3OH)2 · H2O | Mon. m : Pm |
| 8.CJ.10 | Swaknoite | (NH4)2Ca(PO3OH)2 · H2O | Orth. |
| 8.CJ.15 | Nabaphite | NaBaPO4 · 9H2O | Iso. 2 3 : P21 3 |
| 8.CJ.15 | Nastrophite | Na(Sr,Ba)PO4 · 9H2O | Iso. 2 3 : P21 3 |
| 8.CJ.20 | Haidingerite | CaHAsO4 · H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbcn |
| 8.CJ.25 | Vladimirite | Ca4(AsO4)2(AsO3OH) · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| 8.CJ.25 | Rhabdophane-(Y) | YPO4 · H2O | Hex. 6 2 2 : P62 2 2 |
| 8.CJ.27 | Churchite-(Dy) | (Dy,Sm,Gd,Nd)PO4 · 2H2O | Mon. |
| 8.CJ.30 | Ferrarisite | Ca5(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 9H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| 8.CJ.35 | Machatschkiite | (Ca,Na)6(AsO4)(HAsO4)3(PO4,SO4) · 15H2O | Trig. 3m : R3c |
| 8.CJ.35 | Fulbrightite | Ca(VO)2(AsO4)2 · 4H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| 8.CJ.40 | Phaunouxite | Ca3(AsO4)2 · 11H2O | Tric. |
| 8.CJ.40 | Rauenthalite | Ca3(AsO4)2 · 10H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| 8.CJ.45 | Brockite | (Ca,Th,Ce)PO4 · H2O | Hex. 6 2 2 : P62 2 2 |
| 8.CJ.45 | Grayite | (Th,Pb,Ca)(PO4) · H2O | Hex. 6 2 2 : P62 2 2 |
| 8.CJ.45 | Rhabdophane-(Ce) | Ce(PO4) · 0.6H2O | Trig. 3 2 : P31 2 1 |
| 8.CJ.45 | Rhabdophane-(La) | La(PO4) · H2O | Hex. 6 2 2 : P62 2 2 |
| 8.CJ.45 | Rhabdophane-(Nd) | Nd(PO4) · H2O | Hex. 6 2 2 : P62 2 2 |
| 8.CJ.45 | Tristramite | (Ca,U,Fe)(PO4,SO4) · 2H2O | Hex. 6 2 2 : P62 2 2 |
| 8.CJ.45 | Smirnovskite | (Th,Ca)PO4 · nH2O | Hex. 6 2 2 : P62 2 2 |
| 8.CJ.45 | Štěpite | U(AsO3OH)2 · 4H2O | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : I41/acd |
| 8.CJ.47 | Vysokýite | U4+[AsO2(OH)2]4 · 4H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| 8.CJ.50 | Ardealite | Ca2(PO3OH)(SO4) · 4H2O | Mon. m : Bb |
| 8.CJ.50 | Churchite-(Y) | Y(PO4) · 2H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| 8.CJ.50 | Pharmacolite | Ca(HAsO4) · 2H2O | Mon. m |
| 8.CJ.50 | Churchite-(Nd) | Nd(PO4) · 2H2O | Mon. |
| 8.CJ.55 | Mcnearite | NaCa5(AsO4)(HAsO4)4 · 4H2O | Tric. |
| 8.CJ.60 | Dorfmanite | Na2(PO3OH) · 2H2O | Orth. |
| 8.CJ.65 | Sincosite | Ca(VO)2(PO4)2 · 5H2O | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P42/nnm |
| 8.CJ.65 | Bariosincosite | Ba(VO)2(PO4)2 · 4H2O | Tet. |
| 8.CJ.70 | Catalanoite | Na2(PO3OH) · 8H2O | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Ibca |
| 8.CJ.75 | Guérinite | Ca6(HAsO4)3(AsO4)2 · 10.5H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| 8.CJ.85 | Ningyoite | (U,Ca,Ce)2(PO4)2 · 1-2H2O | Orth. |
Fluorescence of Brushite
Not fluorescent.
Other Information
Electrical:
Piezoelectric
Notes:
Readily soluble in 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 Brushite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-793.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
References for Brushite
Reference List:
Localities for Brushite
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.
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Quick NavTopAbout BrushiteUnique IdentifiersClassification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemical Properties Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Brandberg, Sankt Peter-Freienstein, Leoben District, Styria, Austria