Gladiusite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Gladiusite
Formula:
Fe2(Fe,Mg)4(PO4)(OH)11(H2O)
Colour:
Dark green, almost black; red-brown, brownish
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
4 - 4½
Specific Gravity:
3.11
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
For the crystal morphology (resembling a double-edged sword (gladius, Latin for sword)).
Type Locality:
Note: Gladiusite contains both Fe3+ and Fe2+ in the (ideal) ratio of 2:1. The colour of the type material is described as "dark green, almost black". The red-brown, brownish colour of most of the material shown in the photos here suggests that some or all of the Fe2+ might be oxidised, which might correspond to a new species (comment by Uwe Kolitsch, May 2021).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
11032
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:11032:1
Similar Names
| Galadsite | A synonym of 'Galactite' |
IMA Classification of Gladiusite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Fe3+2Fe2+4PO4(OH)11·H2O
Approval year:
1998
First published:
2000
Type description reference:
Liferovich, R. P., Sokolova, E. V., Hawthorne, F. C., Laajoki, K. V.O., Gehor, S., Pakhomovsky, Y. A., Sorokhtina, N. V. (2000) Gladiusite, Fe3+2(Fe2+,Mg)4(PO4)(OH)11(H2O), a new hydrothermal mineral species from the phoscorite-carbonatite unit, Kovdor Complex, Kola Peninsula, Russia. The Canadian Mineralogist, 38 (6) 1477-1485 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.38.6.1477
Classification of Gladiusite
8.DF.40
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
F : With only medium-sized cations, (OH,etc.):RO4 > 3:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
F : With only medium-sized cations, (OH,etc.):RO4 > 3:1
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 for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Gds | 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 Gladiusite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Dark green, almost black; red-brown, brownish
Streak:
Olive-green (in 10-12 hours, changes to brownish red)
Hardness:
4 - 4½ on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN20=300(20) kg/mm2 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Parting:
None observed
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
3.11(2) g/cm3 (Measured) 3.08 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Gladiusite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.722 nβ = 1.73 nγ = 1.737
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.015
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
r > v
Pleochroism:
Strong
Comments:
X = olive-green, Y = grayish blue, Z = dark green with a blue tint
Comments:
Absorption: X > Y > Z.
Chemistry of Gladiusite
Mindat Formula:
Fe2(Fe,Mg)4(PO4)(OH)11(H2O)
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Gladiusite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:
a = 16.950(2) Å, b = 11.650(1) Å, c = 6.2660(6) Å
β = 90.000(4)°
β = 90.000(4)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.455 : 1 : 0.538
Unit Cell V:
1,237.33 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Twinning:
Extensive, pseudo-orthorhombic revealed by structure analysis.
Comment:
Space group P21/n, pseudo-orthorhombic.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0005729 | Gladiusite | Sokolova E V, Hawthorne F C, McCammon C A, Liferovich R P (2001) The crystal structure of gladiusite, (Fe,Mg)4Fe2(PO4)(OH)11(H2O) The Canadian Mineralogist 39 1121-1130 |  | 2001 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.805 Å | (100) |
| 5.83 Å | (89) |
| 3.533 Å | (84) |
| 6.87 Å | (77) |
| 2.868 Å | (66) |
| 3.787 Å | (62) |
| 9.61 Å | (53) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 22 : Hydration and low-? subsurface aqueous alteration (see also #23) |
Type Occurrence of Gladiusite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Acicular masses and as freestanding radiating clusters of arrow-head crystals; clusters do not exceed 2 mm in diameter. The crystals show subtly curved faces and a habit similar to a double-edged sword. Acicular crystals vary from 0.5-7 um thick and from
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
A.E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Moscow, Russia (2310/1), and in the Geological Museum, Institute of Geosciences, University of Oulu, Finland (12182).
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Low-temperature hydrothermal mineral in vugs in veins of dolomitic carbonatite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Liferovich, R. P., Sokolova, E. V., Hawthorne, F. C., Laajoki, K. V.O., Gehor, S., Pakhomovsky, Y. A., Sorokhtina, N. V. (2000) Gladiusite, Fe3+2(Fe2+,Mg)4(PO4)(OH)11(H2O), a new hydrothermal mineral species from the phoscorite-carbonatite unit, Kovdor Complex, Kola Peninsula, Russia. The Canadian Mineralogist, 38 (6) 1477-1485 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.38.6.1477
Synonyms of Gladiusite
Other Language Names for Gladiusite
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.DF. | Wiperamingaite | NaCaFe3+Al(PO4)F5(OH) · H2O |
| 8.DF. | Kernowite | Cu2Fe(AsO4)(OH)4 · 4H2O |
| 8.DF.05 | Hotsonite | Al11(SO4)3(PO4)2(OH)21 · 16H2O |
| 8.DF.10 | Liskeardite | [(Al,Fe)32(AsO4)18(OH)42(H2O)22] · 52H2O |
| 8.DF.10 | Rosièresite | (Pb, Cu, Al, P, O, H) |
| 8.DF.10 | Evansite | Al3(PO4)(OH)6 · 6H2O |
| 8.DF.10 | Bolivarite | Al2(PO4)(OH)3 · 4-5H2O |
| 8.DF.15 | Rusakovite | (Fe3+,Al)5(VO4,PO4)2(OH)9 · 3H2O |
| 8.DF.20 | Liroconite | Cu2Al(AsO4)(OH)4 · 4H2O |
| 8.DF.25 | Sieleckiite | Cu3Al4(PO4)2(OH)12 · 2H2O |
| 8.DF.30 | Chalcophyllite | Cu18Al2(AsO4)4(SO4)3(OH)24 · 36H2O |
| 8.DF.35 | Parnauite | Cu9(AsO4)2(SO4)(OH)10 · 7H2O |
| 8.DF.50 | Forêtite | Cu2Al2(AsO4)(OH,O,H2O)6 |
Fluorescence of Gladiusite
None
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in HCl, after several hours 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 Gladiusite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-11032.html
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References for Gladiusite
Reference List:
Liferovich, R. P., Sokolova, E. V., Hawthorne, F. C., Laajoki, K. V.O., Gehor, S., Pakhomovsky, Y. A., Sorokhtina, N. V. (2000) Gladiusite, Fe3+2(Fe2+,Mg)4(PO4)(OH)11(H2O), a new hydrothermal mineral species from the phoscorite-carbonatite unit, Kovdor Complex, Kola Peninsula, Russia. The Canadian Mineralogist, 38 (6) 1477-1485 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.38.6.1477
Localities for Gladiusite
Showing 2 localities.
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.
Russia (TL) | |
| Can. Mineral. 38:1477-1485. +1 other reference |
| Mikhailova et al. (2015) |
Quick NavTopAbout GladiusiteUnique IdentifiersSimilar NamesIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesStrunz-MindatFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Kovdor Zheleznyi Mine, Kovdor Massif, Kovdorsky District, Murmansk Oblast, Russia