Erythrite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Erythrite
Formula:
Co3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O
Colour:
Crimson to peach red, pale rose, pink
Lustre:
Sub-Vitreous, Waxy, Pearly, Dull, Earthy
Hardness:
1½ - 2½
Specific Gravity:
3.06
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1832 by François Sulpice Beudant from the Greek έρυθρος, "erythros" for "red".
Vivianite Group, Annabergite-Erythrite Series, Erythrite-Hörnesite Series, Erythrite-Köttigite Series.
The cobalt analogue of annabergite and köttigite.
The cobalt analogue of annabergite and köttigite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1407
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1407:2
IMA Classification of Erythrite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Co2+3(As5+O4)2·8H2O
Classification of Erythrite
8.CE.40
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
E : With only medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O about 1:2.5
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
E : With only medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O about 1:2.5
40.3.6.3
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
3 : A3(XO4)2·xH2O
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
3 : A3(XO4)2·xH2O
20.10.1
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
10 : Arsenates of Co and Ni
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
10 : Arsenates of Co and Ni
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ery | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Erythrite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Erythrite
Sub-Vitreous, Waxy, Pearly, Dull, Earthy
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Comment:
Pearly on {010} cleavage
Colour:
Crimson to peach red, pale rose, pink
Comment:
Grades into paler shades and is still pale rose or pale pink at Co:Ni ~ 1:1. Single crystals might exhibit colour banding or may be tipped by material of a different colour.
Streak:
Pale red to pink (paler than the colour)
Hardness:
1½ - 2½ on Mohs scale
Comment:
Softest on {010}.
Tenacity:
Sectile
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect on {010}, poor on {100}{102}
Perfect on {010}, poor on {100}{102}
Translation gliding:
T{010}, t[001].
Comment:
Flexible in thin {010} laminae; sectile
Density:
3.06 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.135 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
3.178 (artificial material).
Optical Data of Erythrite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.626 - 1.629 nβ = 1.662 - 1.663 nγ = 1.699 - 1.701
2V:
Measured: 85° to 90°, Calculated: 88° to 90°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.072 - 0.073
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:
Very High (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Dispersion:
r > v
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X= paleish pink to pale rose
Y= Pale violet to pale violet-rose
Z= deep red
Y= Pale violet to pale violet-rose
Z= deep red
Comments:
May be biaxial negative
Chemistry of Erythrite
Mindat Formula:
Co3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Ni,Fe,Zn
Crystallography of Erythrite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/m
Setting:
C2/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.24799(3) Å, b = 13.42490(7) Å, c = 4.755885(8) Å
β = 105.1116(3)°
β = 105.1116(3)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.763 : 1 : 0.354
Unit Cell V:
631.68 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Crystals prismatic to acicular [001] and typically flattened on {010}; deeply striated or furrowed [001]. Also striated on {010} parallel to {h0l} or {h0l}. Crystals are rare; frequently as radial or stellate groups; globular or reniform shapes with drusy surfaces and columnar or coarse-fibrous structure. Earthy or powdery.
Comment:
[Co2.78Zn0.11Ni0.07Fe0.04]∑3.00(AsO4)2·8H2O.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0006617 | Erythrite | Wildner M, Giester G, Lengauer C L, McCammon C A (1996) Structure and crystal chemistry of vivianite-type compounds: Crystal structures of erythrite and annabergite with a Mossbauer study of erythrite European Journal of Mineralogy 8 187-192 | 1996 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Loading XRD data...
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 6.65 Å | (100) |
| 7.89 Å | (6) |
| 3.34 Å | (8) |
| 3.22 Å | (12) |
| 2.70 Å | (8) |
| 2.32 Å | (8) |
| 1.677 Å | (14) |
Comments:
ICDD 11-626
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] |
Geological Setting:
A secondary mineral in the oxidation zone of some Ni-Co-As mineral deposits.
Type Occurrence of Erythrite
Synonyms of Erythrite
Other Language Names for Erythrite
Catalan:Eritrina
Dutch:Erythriet
Hungarian:Eritrin
Italian:Eritrite
Latin:Cobalti minera colore rubro
Cobaltum Acido arsenico mineralisatum
Flos Kobalti
Ochra Cobalti rubra
Cobaltum Acido arsenico mineralisatum
Flos Kobalti
Ochra Cobalti rubra
Polish:Erytryn
Russian:Эритрин
Simplified Chinese:钴华
Slovak:Erytrit
Swedish:Koboltbeslag
Kobolt Blomma
Kobolt Blomma
Ukrainian:Еритрин
Varieties of Erythrite
| Mg-rich Erythrite | Solid-solution member, with optical data intermediate between those of erythrite and hörnesite. Originally reported from Magnesite Mine, Millstätter Alpe Mt., Radenthein, Gurktaler Alpen Mts, Carinthia, Austria. |
Relationship of Erythrite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Vivianite Group:
| Annabergite | Ni3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Arupite | Ni3(PO4)2 · 8H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Babánekite | Cu3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Barićite | (Mg,Fe)3(PO4)2 · 8H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Cabrerite | NiMg2(AsO4)2 · 8H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Gritsenkoite | CoMg2(AsO4)2(H2O)8 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Hörnesite | Mg3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Köttigite | Zn3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Manganohörnesite | Mn2+3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O | Mon. 2/m : P2/m |
| Monteneroite | Cu2+Mn2+2(AsO4)2 · 8H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Pakhomovskyite | Co3(PO4)2 · 8H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Parasymplesite | Fe2+3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Vivianite | Fe2+Fe2+2(PO4)2 · 8H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Zincocabrerite | ZnMg2(AsO4)2(H2O)8 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 258 photos of Erythrite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 92 photos of Erythrite associated with Skutterudite | CoAs3 |
| 82 photos of Erythrite associated with Conichalcite | CaCu(AsO4)(OH) |
| 75 photos of Erythrite associated with Native Silver | Ag |
| 71 photos of Erythrite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 71 photos of Erythrite associated with Azurite | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
| 66 photos of Erythrite associated with Tyrolite | Ca2Cu9(AsO4)4(CO3)(OH)8 · 11H2O |
| 51 photos of Erythrite associated with Aragonite | CaCO3 |
| 49 photos of Erythrite associated with Smolyaninovite | Co3Fe3+2(AsO4)4 · 11H2O |
| 47 photos of Erythrite associated with Heterogenite | Co3+O(OH) |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.CE. | Monteneroite | Cu2+Mn2+2(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE. | Belmonteite | CaMn2(AsO4)2 · 7H2O |
| 8.CE. | Zincocabrerite | ZnMg2(AsO4)2(H2O)8 |
| 8.CE.X | Babánekite | Cu3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.05 | Chudobaite | Mg5(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)2 · 10H2O |
| 8.CE.05 | Geigerite | Mn2+5(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 10H2O |
| 8.CE.10 | Newberyite | Mg(PO3OH) · 3H2O |
| 8.CE.10 | Manganonewberyite | Mn(PO3OH)(H2O)3 |
| 8.CE.15 | Fanguangite | (MoO2)(PO3OH) · 4H2O |
| 8.CE.15 | Brassite | Mg(HAsO4) · 4H2O |
| 8.CE.20 | Phosphorrösslerite | Mg(PO3OH) · 7H2O |
| 8.CE.20 | Rösslerite | Mg(HAsO4) · 7H2O |
| 8.CE.25 | Switzerite | Mn2+3(PO4)2 · 7H2O |
| 8.CE.25 | Metaswitzerite | Mn2+3(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CE.30 | Pradetite | CoCu4(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 9H2O |
| 8.CE.30 | Veselovskýite | ZnCu4(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 9H2O |
| 8.CE.30 | Lindackerite | CuCu4(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 9H2O |
| 8.CE.30 | Klajite | MnCu4(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 9-10H2O |
| 8.CE.30 | Hloušekite | (Ni,Co)Cu4(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)2 · 9H2O |
| 8.CE.30 | Ondrušite | CaCu4(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 10H2O |
| 8.CE.35 | Bobierrite | Mg3(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Barićite | (Mg,Fe)3(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Parasymplesite | Fe2+3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Gritsenkoite | CoMg2(AsO4)2(H2O)8 |
| 8.CE.40 | Cabrerite | NiMg2(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Pakhomovskyite | Co3(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Vivianite | Fe2+Fe2+2(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Arupite | Ni3(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Hörnesite | Mg3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Manganohörnesite | Mn2+3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Köttigite | Zn3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Ferrisymplesite | Fe3+3(AsO4)2(OH)3 · 5H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Annabergite | Ni3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.45 | Symplesite | Fe2+3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.50 | Cattiite | Mg3(PO4)2 · 22H2O |
| 8.CE.55 | Koninckite | Fe3+PO4 · 3H2O |
| 8.CE.60 | Kaňkite | FeAsO4 · 3.5H2O |
| 8.CE.60 | Hilarionite | Fe3+2(SO4)(AsO4)(OH) · 6H2O |
| 8.CE.65 | Steigerite | Al(VO4) · 3H2O |
| 8.CE.70 | Metaschoderite | Al2(PO4)(VO4) · 6H2O |
| 8.CE.70 | Schoderite | Al2(PO4)(VO4) · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.75 | Zigrasite | MgZr(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CE.75 | 'UM2009-11-PO:CaHZr' | CaZr[PO4]2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CE.75 | Malhmoodite | FeZr(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CE.80 | Santabarbaraite | Fe3+3(PO4)2(OH)3 · 5H2O |
| 8.CE.85 | Metaköttigite | (Zn,Fe,Fe)3(AsO4)2 · 8(H2O,OH) |
| 8.CE.90 | Slavkovite | Cu13(AsO4)6(AsO3OH)4 · 23H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in acids.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Erythrite in petrology
An essential component of rock names highlighted in red, an accessory component in rock names highlighted in green.
Internet Links for Erythrite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1407.html
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References for Erythrite
Reference List:
Cronstedt, Axel Fredrik (1758) Försök till en Mineralogie eller Mineral Rikets Upställning. J. A. Carlbohm, Stockholm.
Bergman, Torbern (1783) Sciagraphia Regni Mineralis Secundum Principia Proxima Digesti [Sketch of the Mineral Kingdom According to the Proximate Principles of Digestion]. Apud Johannem Murray, Londini. 165pp.
Beudant, François-Sulpice (1832) Traité élémentaire de minéralogie. Deuxiéme Edition [Elementary Treatise on Mineralogy. Second Edition] (2nd ed.) Vol. 2 - Tome II [Volume II]. Chez Verdière. p.596 - as Erythrine
Larsen, Esper S. (1921) The microscopic determination of the nonopaque minerals. Bulletin 679. US Geological Survey doi:10.3133/b679 p.72
Larsen, E.S.; Berman, H. (1934) The microscopic determination of the nonopaque minerals. Bulletin of the US Geological Survey Vol. 848. US Geological Survey p.1-266. doi:10.3133/b848 p.178
Barth, Tom F. W. (1937) Crystallographic studies in the vivianite group. American Mineralogist, 22 (5) 325-341
Wolfe, C. W. (1940) Classification of minerals of the type A3(XO4)2·nH2O (concluded) American Mineralogist, 25 (12) 787-809 p.804
Sinkler, Helen (1942) Geology and ore deposits of the Dillon nickel prospect, southwestern Montana. Economic Geology, 37 (2) 136-152 doi:10.2113/gsecongeo.37.2.136
Faye, G. H., Nickel, E. H. (1968) The origin of pleochroism in erythrite. The Canadian Mineralogist, 9 (4) 493-504
Wildner, Manfred, Giester, Gerald, Lengauer, Christian L., Mccammon, Catherine A. (1996) Structure and crystal chemistry of vivianite-type compounds: Crystal structures of erythrite and annabergite with a Mössbauer study of erythrite. European Journal of Mineralogy, 8 (1) 187-192 doi:10.1127/ejm/8/1/0187
Martens, W. N., Kloprogge, J. T., Frost, R. L., Rintoul, L. (2005) Site Occupancy of Co and Ni in Erythrite Annabergite Solid Solutions Deduced by Vibrational Spectroscopy. The Canadian Mineralogist, 43 (3) 1065-1075 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.43.3.1065
Cook, Robert B. (2007) Connoisseur's Choice: Erythrite, Bou Azzer, Morocco. Rocks & Minerals, 82 (5). 402-408 doi:10.3200/rmin.82.5.402-408
Capitelli, Francesco, Elaatmani, Mohamed, Lalaoui, My Driss, Piniella, Juan F. (2007) Crystal structure of a vivianite-type mineral: Mg-rich erythrite, (Co2.16Ni0.24Mg0.60)(AsO4)2 · 8 H2O. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie - Crystalline Materials, 222 (12). 676-679 doi:10.1524/zkri.2007.222.12.676
Antao, Sytle M., Dhaliwal, Inayat (2017) Growth Oscillatory Zoning in Erythrite, Ideally Co3(AsO4)2·8H2O: Structural Variations in Vivianite-Group Minerals. Minerals, 7 (8). 136 doi:10.3390/min7080136
Dumańska-Słowik, Magdalena, Pieczka, Adam, Natkaniec-Nowak, Lucyna, Kunecki, Piotr, Gaweł, Adam, Heflik, Wiesław, Smoliński, Wojciech, Kozub-Budzyń, Gabriela (2018) Mg-enriched erythrite from Bou Azzer, Anti-Atlas Mountains, Morocco: geochemical and spectroscopic characteristics. Mineralogy and Petrology, 112 (3) 381-392 doi:10.1007/s00710-017-0545-8
Ciesielczuk, Justyna; Dulski, Mateusz; Janeczek, Janusz; Krzykawski, Tomasz; Kusz, Joachim; Szełęg, Eligiusz (2020) Crystal Chemistry of an Erythrite-Köttigite Solid Solution (Co3–xZnx)(AsO4)2·8H2O. Minerals, 10 (6). 548 doi:10.3390/min10060548
Majzlan, Juraj, Reichstein, Anna, Haase, Patrick, Števko, Martin, Sejkora, Jiří, Dachs, Edgar (2024) Thermodynamics of vivianite-group arsenates M3(AsO4)2 ⋅ 8H2O (M is Ni, Co, Mg, Zn, Cu) and chemical variability in the natural arsenates of this group. European Journal of Mineralogy, 36 (1). doi:10.5194/ejm-36-31-2024
Localities for Erythrite
Showing 1,016 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
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- 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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Amphibolite quarry, Mackenheim, Abtsteinach, Bergstraße, Darmstadt, Hesse, Germany