Dittmarite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Dittmarite
William Dittmar
Formula:
(NH4)Mg(PO4) · H2O
Colour:
Colourless
Hardness:
5
Specific Gravity:
2.15
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named in 1887 (described in 1902) by R.W. Emerson MacIvor in honor of William Dittmar (14/15 April 1833, Umstadt, Germany – 9 February 1892, Glasgow, Scotland), Professor of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland.
Isostructural with:
This page provides mineralogical data about Dittmarite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1297
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1297:9
IMA Classification of Dittmarite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
(N3-H4)MgPO4·H2O
First published:
1887
Classification of Dittmarite
8.CH.20
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
H : With large and medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O < 1:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
H : With large and medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O < 1:1
40.1.2.1
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
1 : AB(XO4)·xH2O
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
1 : AB(XO4)·xH2O
19.3.22
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 for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Dmr | 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 Dittmarite
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
5 on Mohs scale
Density:
2.15 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.19 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Dittmarite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.549 nβ = 1.569 nγ = 1.571
2V:
Measured: 40° , Calculated: 34°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.022
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:
none
Chemistry of Dittmarite
Mindat Formula:
(NH4)Mg(PO4) · H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Dittmarite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mm2 - Pyramidal
Space Group:
Pmn21
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.606 Å, b = 8.758 Å, c = 4.788 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.64 : 1 : 0.547
Unit Cell V:
235.08 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Rhombic crystals.
Comment:
Cell parameters from Mrose 1971.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 8.77 Å | (100) |
| 2.80 Å | (50) |
| 2.92 Å | (40) |
| 4.72 Å | (30) |
| 4.20 Å | (25) |
| 2.50 Å | (20) |
| 2.28 Å | (10) |
Comments:
Skipton lava tube caves, Australia. ICDD 20-663.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 52 : Guano- and urine-derived minerals | <0.4 |
Type Occurrence of Dittmarite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Small rhombic, transparent crystals.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No designated type material.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
A dry bat guano cave.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Dittmarite
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.CH.05 | Natrowalentaite | [Fe3+0.5Na0.5(H2O)6][NaAs3+2(Fe3+2.33W6+0.67)(PO4)2O7] |
| 8.CH.05 | Walentaite | [Mn2+(H2O)6][◻As3+3Fe3+3(PO4)2O7] |
| 8.CH.05 | Halilsarpite | [Mg(H2O)6][CaAs3+2(Fe3+2.67Mo6+0.33)(AsO4)2O7] |
| 8.CH.10 | Anapaite | Ca2Fe2+(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CH.15 | Picropharmacolite | Ca4Mg(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 11H2O |
| 8.CH.20 | Niahite | (NH4)Mn2+(PO4) · H2O |
| 8.CH.25 | Taranakite | K3Al5(PO3OH)6(PO4)2 · 18H2O |
| 8.CH.25 | Francoanellite | K3Al5(PO3OH)6(PO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 8.CH.25 | Macivorite | (NH4)3Al5(PO3OH)6(PO4)2 · 18H2O |
| 8.CH.30 | Schertelite | (NH4)2MgH2(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CH.35 | Hannayite | (NH4)2Mg3H4(PO4)4 · 8H2O |
| 8.CH.40 | Hazenite | KNaMg2(PO4)2 · 14H2O |
| 8.CH.40 | Struvite-(K) | KMg(PO4) · 6H2O |
| 8.CH.40 | Struvite | (NH4)Mg(PO4) · 6H2O |
| 8.CH.45 | Rimkorolgite | (Mg,Mn)5(Ba,Sr,Ca)(PO4)4 · 8H2O |
| 8.CH.50 | Bakhchisaraitsevite | Na2Mg5(PO4)4 · 7H2O |
| 8.CH.55 | Smolyaninovite | Co3Fe3+2(AsO4)4 · 11H2O |
| 8.CH.55 | Fahleite | CaZn5Fe3+2(AsO4)6 · 14H2O |
| 8.CH.60 | Barahonaite-(Fe) | (Ca,Cu,Na,Fe3+,Al)12Fe3+2(AsO4)8(OH,Cl)x · nH2O |
| 8.CH.60 | Barahonaite-(Al) | (Ca,Cu,Na,Fe3+,Al)12Al2(AsO4)8(OH,Cl)x · nH2O |
| 8.CH.70 | Epifanovite | NaCaCu5(PO4)4[AsO2(OH)2] · 7H2O |
| 8.CH.75 | Esdanaite-(Ce) | NaMnCe(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
Does not lose water when exposed to the atmosphere, but when heated to 100-105°C for a time, it gives up water and loses transparency.
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 Dittmarite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1297.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Dittmarite
Reference List:
Šoptrajanov, Bojan, Stefov, Viktor, Kuzmanovski, Igor, Jovanovski, Gligor, Lutz, H.Dieter, Engelen, Bernward (2002) Very low H–O–H bending frequencies. IV. Fourier transform infrared spectra of synthetic dittmarite. Journal of Molecular Structure, 613 (1) 7-14 doi:10.1016/s0022-2860(02)00136-9
Localities for Dittmarite
Showing 11 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.
Australia | |
| Snow et al. (2014) |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
Botswana | |
| Martini (1996) +1 other reference |
Chile | |
| XRD by Joachim Lorenz |
| samples analysed by Gerhard Mohn and ... +2 other references |
| Nestola et al. (2012) | |
| forum.amiminerals.org (2016) | |
Ethiopia | |
| Tribolo et al. (2017) |
Namibia | |
| Martini (1992) |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
Thailand | |
| Lenoble et al. (2006, September) |
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Punta Patache, Iquique, Iquique Province, Tarapacá, Chile