Exact matching result shown. To search for other matches click here
Amblygonite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Amblygonite
Formula:
LiAl(PO4)F
Colour:
Milk-white, yellow, beige, salmon-pink, pale green, light blue, grey; colourless in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Greasy, Pearly
Hardness:
5½ - 6
Specific Gravity:
3.04 - 3.11
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named by August Breithaupt in 1817 from the Greek αμβλύς ("amvlys") for "blunt" and γωνία ("gonia") for "angle," referring to the fact that its cleavage angle slightly differs from 90°, distinguishing it from scapolite for which it was originally mistaken.
Type Locality:
Isostructural with:
Amblygonite-Montebrasite Series. Fluorine analogue of Montebrasite.
Occurs chiefly in granite pegmatites of the lithium- and phosphate-rich type. Crystals may be enormous in size.
NOTE: Most "amblygonite" from granite pegmatites, especially from crystal pockets, are in fact montebrasite.
Occurs chiefly in granite pegmatites of the lithium- and phosphate-rich type. Crystals may be enormous in size.
NOTE: Most "amblygonite" from granite pegmatites, especially from crystal pockets, are in fact montebrasite.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Amblygonite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
189
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:189:2
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
18346f06-ff73-4449-b5ca-06b0be9fe1f3
IMA Classification of Amblygonite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
Classification of Amblygonite
8.BB.05
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
B : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 about 1:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
B : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 about 1:1
41.5.8.1
41 : ANHYDROUS PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
5 : (AB)2(XO4)Zq
41 : ANHYDROUS PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
5 : (AB)2(XO4)Zq
22.1.1
22 : Phosphates, Arsenates or Vanadates with other Anions
1 : Phosphates, arsenates or vanadates with fluoride
22 : Phosphates, Arsenates or Vanadates with other Anions
1 : Phosphates, arsenates or vanadates with fluoride
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Symbol | Source | Reference |
---|---|---|
Aby | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Amb | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Amblygonite
Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Greasy, Pearly
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Comment:
Slightly pearly on well-developed cleavages.
Colour:
Milk-white, yellow, beige, salmon-pink, pale green, light blue, grey; colourless in transmitted light.
Comment:
Almost always white to slightly gray-white; yellow specimens may be montebrasite
Streak:
white
Hardness:
5½ - 6 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {100} perfect; {110} good; {011}, distinct; {001}, imperfect.
On {100} perfect; {110} good; {011}, distinct; {001}, imperfect.
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Sub-Conchoidal
Comment:
Breaks into blocky pieces and may superficially resemble beryl, petalite, and other species.
Density:
3.04 - 3.11 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.11 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Amblygonite end-member value is ~ 3.11.
Optical Data of Amblygonite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.577 - 1.591 nβ = 1.592 - 1.605 nγ = 1.596 - 1.613
2V:
Measured: 107° to 129.5°
Birefringence:
0.020
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.019 - 0.022
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:
r > v
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Comments:
Refractive Index lowers with increased Fluorine substitution. (Greiner and Bloss, 1987).
Chemistry of Amblygonite
Mindat Formula:
LiAl(PO4)F
Chemical Analysis
Oxide wt%:
1 | 2 | |
---|---|---|
P2O5 | 45.05 % | 45.85 % |
Al2O3 | 36.10 % | 37.90 % |
Li2O | 7.15 % | 6.20 % |
Na2O | 1.50 % | 2.70 % |
F | 9.60 % | 8.70 % |
Total: | 99.4 % | 101.35 % |
Sample references:
ID | Locality | Reference | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Bevoandrano pegmatite, Ikalamavony Commune, Ikalamavony District, Haute Matsiatra, Madagascar | Analysis by F. Ruf 1959 | |
2 | Ankiperatra No. 15, Ankiperatra pegmatites, Mandrosonoro, Ambatofinandrahana District, Amoron'i Mania, Madagascar | " " |
Crystallography of Amblygonite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Setting:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.644 Å, b = 7.744 Å, c = 6.91 Å
α = 90.35°, β = 117.33°, γ = 91.01°
α = 90.35°, β = 117.33°, γ = 91.01°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.858 : 1 : 0.892
Unit Cell V:
315.75 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Crude crystals, typically equant to short prismatic [010], with complex form development, to 1.5 meters; also occurs as large cleavable masses; columnar; compact. Free-standing amblygonite crystals from crystal pockets are rare. Most pocket crystals are hydroxyl-rich montebrasite.
Twinning:
On {111}, common, with composition plane {111} with the resulting twins commonly tabular parallel to {111} and the twinned individuals of about equal size; also tabular {110} and the twinned individuals of very unequal size. Also twins on {111}, rare; lamellar. Microscopic polysynthetic twinning is common.
Comment:
Unit cell variability reported in Cerna, Cerrny, and Ferguson (1973)
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0001326 | Amblygonite | Groat L A, Raudsepp M, Hawthorne F C, Ercit T S, Sherriff B L, Hartman J S (1990) The amblygonite-montebrasite series: Characterization by single-crystal structure refinement, infrared spectroscopy and multinuclear MAS-NMR spectroscopy sample AF-65 American Mineralogist 75 992-1008 | 1990 | 0 | 293 | ||
0002966 | Amblygonite | Groat L A, Chakoumakos B C, Brouwer D H, Hoffman C M, Fyfe C A, Morell H, Schultz A J (2003) The amblygonite (LiAlPO4F) - montebrasite (LiAlPO4OH) solid solution: A combined powder and single-crystal neutron diffraction and solid-state Li MAS, CP MAS, and REDOR NMR study Natural Museum of Natural History, Washington D.C. #105914 American Mineralogist 88 195-210 | 2003 | 0 | 12 | ||
0002967 | Amblygonite | Groat L A, Chakoumakos B C, Brouwer D H, Hoffman C M, Fyfe C A, Morell H, Schultz A J (2003) The amblygonite (LiAlPO4F) - montebrasite (LiAlPO4OH) solid solution: A combined powder and single-crystal neutron diffraction and solid-state Li MAS, CP MAS, and REDOR NMR study Natural Museum of Natural History, Washington D.C. #105914 American Mineralogist 88 195-210 | 2003 | 0 | 100 | ||
0002968 | Amblygonite | Groat L A, Chakoumakos B C, Brouwer D H, Hoffman C M, Fyfe C A, Morell H, Schultz A J (2003) The amblygonite (LiAlPO4F) - montebrasite (LiAlPO4OH) solid solution: A combined powder and single-crystal neutron diffraction and solid-state Li MAS, CP MAS, and REDOR NMR study Natural Museum of Natural History, Washington D.C. #105914 American Mineralogist 88 195-210 | 2003 | 0 | 200 | ||
0002969 | Amblygonite | Groat L A, Chakoumakos B C, Brouwer D H, Hoffman C M, Fyfe C A, Morell H, Schultz A J (2003) The amblygonite (LiAlPO4F) - montebrasite (LiAlPO4OH) solid solution: A combined powder and single-crystal neutron diffraction and solid-state Li MAS, CP MAS, and REDOR NMR study Natural Museum of Natural History, Washington D.C. #105914 American Mineralogist 88 195-210 | 2003 | 0 | 295 | ||
0002970 | Amblygonite | Groat L A, Chakoumakos B C, Brouwer D H, Hoffman C M, Fyfe C A, Morell H, Schultz A J (2003) The amblygonite (LiAlPO4F) - montebrasite (LiAlPO4OH) solid solution: A combined powder and single-crystal neutron diffraction and solid-state Li MAS, CP MAS, and REDOR NMR study American Mineralogist 88 195-210 | 2003 | 0 | 20 | ||
0016150 | Amblygonite | Baur W H (1959) Die Kristallstruktur des Edelamblygonits LiAlPO4(OH,F) Acta Crystallographica 12 988-994 | 1959 | Newry, Maine, USA | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Image Loading
Radiation - Copper Kα
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
4.642 Å | (80) |
3.87 Å | (80) |
3.300 Å | (50) |
3.237 Å | (60) |
3.151 Å | (100) |
2.955 Å | (80) |
2.384 Å | (50) |
1.935 Å | (60) |
1.728 Å | (50) |
Comments:
ICDD 22-1138. Sample from Chursdorf, Germany. Composition may be estimated +/- 5% of the weight percent F from position of diffraction peaks associated with d {101} (Cerna et al., 1973).
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] |
Geological Setting:
Zoned granite pegmatites, high-temperature tin veins, greisens.
Type Occurrence of Amblygonite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Massive
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mining Academy, Freiberg, Germany, 20336
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Granite pegmatite
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Amblygonite
Basque:Anbligonita
Czech:Amblygonit
Dutch:Amblygoniet
German:Amblygonit
Italian:Ambligonite
Polish:Ambligonit
Portuguese:Ambligonita
Russian:Амблигонит
Spanish:Amblygonita
Swedish:Amblygonit
Ukrainian:Амблігоніт
Varieties of Amblygonite
Hebronite | An amblygonite variety low in sodium. Originally described from both Hebron, Oxford Co., Maine, USA and Mt. Rubellite mines, Hebron, Oxford Co., Maine, USA. |
Relationship of Amblygonite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
Montebrasite | LiAl(PO4)(OH) | Tric. 1 : P1 |
Natromontebrasite | Masses of white mineral. | Tric. |
Tavorite | LiFe3+(PO4)(OH) | Tric. 1 : P1 |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
8 photos of Amblygonite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
6 photos of Amblygonite associated with Lepidolite | |
5 photos of Amblygonite associated with Turquoise | CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8 · 4H2O |
4 photos of Amblygonite associated with Väyrynenite | BeMn2+(PO4)(OH) |
4 photos of Amblygonite associated with Elbaite | Na(Li1.5Al1.5)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) |
3 photos of Amblygonite associated with Wavellite | Al3(PO4)2(OH,F)3 · 5H2O |
3 photos of Amblygonite associated with Eosphorite | Mn2+Al(PO4)(OH)2 · H2O |
3 photos of Amblygonite associated with Mushistonite | (Cu,Zn,Fe2+)[Sn(OH)6] |
2 photos of Amblygonite associated with Herzenbergite | SnS |
2 photos of Amblygonite associated with Arthurite | CuFe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
8.BB. | Tilasite | CaMg(AsO4)F |
8.BB.X | Arsenowagnerite | Mg2(AsO4)F |
8.BB. | Moabite | NiFe3+(PO4)O |
8.BB. | Karlditmarite | Cu9O4(PO4)2(SO4)2 |
8.BB. | Milkovoite | Cu4O(PO4)(AsO4) |
8.BB. | Paulgrothite | Cu9Fe3+O4(PO4)4Cl3 |
8.BB.05 | Montebrasite | LiAl(PO4)(OH) |
8.BB.05 | Tavorite | LiFe3+(PO4)(OH) |
8.BB.10 | Triplite | Mn2+2(PO4)F |
8.BB.10 | Zwieselite | Fe2+2(PO4)F |
8.BB.15 | Sarkinite | Mn2+2(AsO4)(OH) |
8.BB.15 | Triploidite | Mn2+2(PO4)(OH) |
8.BB.15 | Wagnerite | (Mg,Fe2+)2(PO4)F |
8.BB.15 | Wolfeite | Fe2+2(PO4)(OH) |
8.BB.15 | Stanĕkite | (Mn2+,Fe2+,Mg)Fe3+(PO4)O |
8.BB.15 | Joosteite | Mn2+(Mn3+,Fe3+)(PO4)O |
8.BB.15 | Hydroxylwagnerite | Mg2(PO4)(OH) |
8.BB.15 | Unnamed (Sb-analogue of Auriacusite) | Fe3+Cu2+[(Sb,As)O4]O |
8.BB.20 | Holtedahlite | Mg2(PO4)(OH) |
8.BB.20 | Satterlyite | (Fe2+,Mg,Fe)12(PO4)5(PO3OH)(OH,O)6 |
8.BB.25 | Althausite | Mg4(PO4)2(OH,O)(F,◻) |
8.BB.30 | Adamite | Zn2(AsO4)(OH) |
8.BB.30 | Eveite | Mn2+2(AsO4)(OH) |
8.BB.30 | Libethenite | Cu2(PO4)(OH) |
8.BB.30 | Olivenite | Cu2(AsO4)(OH) |
8.BB.30 | Zincolibethenite | CuZn(PO4)(OH) |
8.BB.30 | Zincolivenite | CuZn(AsO4)(OH) |
8.BB.30 | Auriacusite | Fe3+Cu2+(AsO4)O |
8.BB.35 | Paradamite | Zn2(AsO4)(OH) |
8.BB.35 | Tarbuttite | Zn2(PO4)(OH) |
8.BB.40 | Barbosalite | Fe2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 |
8.BB.40 | Hentschelite | CuFe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 |
8.BB.40 | Lazulite | MgAl2(PO4)2(OH)2 |
8.BB.40 | Scorzalite | Fe2+Al2(PO4)2(OH)2 |
8.BB.40 | Wilhelmkleinite | ZnFe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2 |
8.BB.45 | Trolleite | Al4(PO4)3(OH)3 |
8.BB.45 | Yaroshevskite | Cu9O2(VO4)4Cl2 |
8.BB.45 | Dokuchaevite | Cu8O2(VO4)3Cl3 |
8.BB.50 | Namibite | Cu(BiO)2(VO4)(OH) |
8.BB.50 | Aleutite | [Cu5O2](AsO4)(VO4) · (Cu,K,Pb,Rb,Cs,)Cl |
8.BB.52a | Ericlaxmanite | Cu4O(AsO4)2 |
8.BB.52b | Kozyrevskite | Cu4O(AsO4)2 |
8.BB.55 | Phosphoellenbergerite | (Mg,◻)2Mg12(PO4,PO3OH)6(PO3OH,CO3)2(OH)6 |
8.BB.55 | Popovite | Cu5O2(AsO4)2 |
8.BB.60 | Urusovite | CuAl(AsO4)O |
8.BB.65 | Theoparacelsite | Cu3(As2O7)(OH)2 |
8.BB.70 | Turanite | Cu5(VO4)2(OH)4 |
8.BB.75 | Stoiberite | Cu5(VO4)2O2 |
8.BB.80 | Fingerite | Cu11(VO4)6O2 |
8.BB.85 | Averievite | Cu6(VO4)2O2Cl2 |
8.BB.90 | Lipscombite | Fe2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 |
8.BB.90 | Richellite | CaFe3+2(PO4)2(OH,F)2 |
8.BB.90 | Zinclipscombite | ZnFe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 |
Fluorescence of Amblygonite
May fluoresce faint to medium cream yellow in SW and LW. Often shows patchy response.
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble with difficulty in acids. Colours a flame red.
Alters to mixtures of smectite or kaolinite and mica group, often as alterations rimming or surrounding rounded nodules of unaltered material. Also alters to lacroixite, Turquoise, Wavellite, Wardite, and Morinite.
Alters to mixtures of smectite or kaolinite and mica group, often as alterations rimming or surrounding rounded nodules of unaltered material. Also alters to lacroixite, Turquoise, Wavellite, Wardite, and Morinite.
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 Amblygonite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-189.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Amblygonite
Reference List:
Larsen, Esper S. (1921) The microscopic determination of the nonopaque minerals. Bulletin Vol. 679. US Geological Survey doi:10.3133/b679 p.165
Winchell, A. N. (1926) Relations between properties and composition in the amblygonite-montebrasite series. American Mineralogist, 11 (9) 246-248
Richmond, Wallace E. (1940) Crystal chemistry of the phosphates, arsenates and vanadates of the type A2XO4(Z) American Mineralogist, 25 (7) 441-479 p.473
Palache, Charles, Richmond, W. E., Wolfe, and C. W. (1943) On amblygonite. American Mineralogist, 28 (1) 39-53
Moss, A. A., Fejer, E. E., Embrey, P. G. (1969) On the X-ray identification of amblygonite and montebrasite. Mineralogical Magazine, 37 (287) 414-422 doi:10.1180/minmag.1969.037.287.15
Černá, Iva, Černý, Petr, Ferguson, Robert B. (1973) The fluorine content and some physical properties of the amblygonite-montebrasite minerals. American Mineralogist, 58 (3-4) 291-301
Greiner, Daniel J., Bloss, F. Donald (1987) Amblygonite-montebrasite optics: Response to (OH-) orientation and rapid estimation of F from 2V. American Mineralogist, 72 (5-6) 617-624
Groat, Lee A., Raudsepp, Mati, Hawthorne, Frank C., Ercit, T. Scott, Sherriff, Barbara L., Hartman, J. Stephen (1990) The amblygonite-montebrasite series: Characterization by single-crystal structure refinement, infrared spectroscopy, and multinuclear MAS-NMR spectroscopy. American Mineralogist, 75 (9-10) 992-1008
Rondeau, B., Fritsch, E., Lefevre, P., Guiraud, M., Fransolet, A.-M., Lulzac, Y. (2006) A Raman investigation of the amblygonite—montebrasite series. The Canadian Mineralogist, 44 (5) 1109-1117 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.44.5.1109
Dias, L. N., Pinheiro, M. V. B., Moreira, R. L., Krambrock, K., Guedes, K. J., Filho, L. A. D. M., Karfunkel, J., Schnellrath, J., Scholz, R. (2011) Spectroscopic characterization of transition metal impurities in natural montebrasite/amblygonite. American Mineralogist, 96 (1) 42-52 doi:10.2138/am.2011.3551
Localities for Amblygonite
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.
Quick NavTopAbout AmblygoniteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Chemical AnalysisCrystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence Other LanguagesVarietiesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Pala Mining District, San Diego County, California, USA