Ferrisicklerite
A variety of Triphylite
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About Ferrisicklerite
Formula:
Li1-x(Fe3+xFe2+1-x)PO4
Colour:
Yellow-brown to dark brown
Lustre:
Dull, Earthy
Hardness:
4
Specific Gravity:
3.2 - 3.4
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
From FERRI- for trivalent iron (ferric iron) and sicklerite in allusion to its composition as the ferric iron end member of the series with sicklerite.
DISCREDITED (intermediate phases in the triphylite–heterosite solid solution).
Occurs only as an alteration product of Triphylite and Lithiophilite, commonly as rims around partly altered masses or crystals of the latter species.
Ferrisicklerite and Sicklerite are intermediate varieties between the unoxidized and unleached lithiophilite and triphylite end-members and the completely leached and appropriately oxidized end-products, the Heterosite-Purpurite Series, and are not valid species (Lyalina et al., 2023).
Occurs only as an alteration product of Triphylite and Lithiophilite, commonly as rims around partly altered masses or crystals of the latter species.
Ferrisicklerite and Sicklerite are intermediate varieties between the unoxidized and unleached lithiophilite and triphylite end-members and the completely leached and appropriately oxidized end-products, the Heterosite-Purpurite Series, and are not valid species (Lyalina et al., 2023).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1499 (as Ferrisicklerite)
4020 (as Triphylite)
4020 (as Triphylite)
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1499:7 (as Ferrisicklerite)
mindat:1:1:4020:0 (as Triphylite)
mindat:1:1:4020:0 (as Triphylite)
IMA Classification of Ferrisicklerite
Discredited, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Li1-x(Fe3+,Mn2+)(PO4)
First published:
1937
Approval history:
Discredited by IMA October 2022 (establishment of Triphylite Group); cf. Lyalina et al. (2023).
Classification of Ferrisicklerite
8.AB.10
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
A : Phosphates, etc. without additional anions, without H2O
B : With medium-sized cations
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
A : Phosphates, etc. without additional anions, without H2O
B : With medium-sized cations
Dana 7th ed.:
38.1.4.1
38.1.4.1
38 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, AND VANADATES
1 : ABXO4
38 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, AND VANADATES
1 : ABXO4
19.1.12
19 : Phosphates
1 : Phosphates of the alkali metals
19 : Phosphates
1 : Phosphates of the alkali metals
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 for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Fsik | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Fsk | 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 Ferrisicklerite
Dull, Earthy
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Yellow-brown to dark brown
Streak:
Light yellow-brown, brown, reddish brown
Hardness:
4 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
On {100}, good.
On {100}, good.
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
3.2 - 3.4 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.257 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Ferrisicklerite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.790(5) nβ = 1.805(5) nγ = 1.820(5)
2V:
Measured: 85° , Calculated: 88°
Birefringence:
0.021
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.030
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:
single; r > v, very strong.
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = a = Dark reddish
Y = Lighter reddish
Z = Very light reddish
Y = Lighter reddish
Z = Very light reddish
Chemistry of Ferrisicklerite
Mindat Formula:
Li1-x(Fe3+xFe2+1-x)PO4
Elements listed:
Chemical Analysis
Oxide wt%:
| 1 | |
|---|---|
| P2O5 | 42,21 % |
| Fe2O3 | 28,22 % |
| FeO | 1,33 % |
| MnO | 20,20 % |
| MgO | 0,61 % |
| CaO | 0,60 % |
| Na2O | 0,08 % |
| K2O | 0,17 % |
| Li2O | 2,78 % |
| H2O+ | 3,24 % |
| Insol | 0,60 % |
| Total: | 96 % |
Sample references:
| ID | Locality | Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Buranga pegmatite, Muhororo, Ngororero District, Western Province, Rwanda |
Crystallography of Ferrisicklerite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pmna
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.9160 Å, b = 10.026 Å, c = 4.7956 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.59 : 1 : 0.478
Unit Cell V:
284.45 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Massive as an oxidation of triphylite.
Comment:
Space Group: Pmnb.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0009574 | Ferrisicklerite | Alberti A (1976) Crystal structure of ferrisicklerite, Li<1(Fe3+,Mn2+)PO4 Acta Crystallographica B32 2761-2764 |  | 1976 | Sidi-Bou-Othmane, Jebilet, Morocco | 0 | 293 |
| 0017986 | Ferrisicklerite | Bjoerling C, Westgren A (1938) Minerals of the Varutrask pegmatite. IX. X-ray studies on triphylite, varulite, and their oxidation products _cod_database_code 1011090 Geologiska Foreningens i Stockholm Forhandlingar 60 67-72 | 1938 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 5.01 Å | (70) |
| 4.33 Å | (40) |
| 3.82 Å | (20) |
| 3.73 Å | (2) |
| 3.49 Å | (30) |
| 3.47 Å | (10) |
| 2.989 Å | (10) |
| 2.959 Å | (100) |
| 2.743 Å | (8) |
| 2.490 Å | (35) |
| 2.444 Å | (15) |
| 2.333 Å | (6) |
| 2.309 Å | (7) |
| 2.251 Å | (5) |
| 2.223 Å | (7) |
| 2.170 Å | (3) |
| 2.164 Å | (4) |
| 1.863 Å | (5) |
| 1.794 Å | (5) |
| 1.766 Å | (4) |
| 1.746 Å | (7) |
| 1.733 Å | (3) |
| 1.713 Å | (4) |
| 1.663 Å | (4) |
| 1.608 Å | (8) |
| 1.601 Å | (12) |
| 1.550 Å | (4) |
| 1.479 Å | (15) |
| 1.456 Å | (8) |
Comments:
ICDD 29-808
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 |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] |
First Recorded Occurrence of Ferrisicklerite
General Appearance of First Recorded Material:
Alteration rim about triphylite.
Place of Conservation of First Recorded Material:
n.d.
Geological Setting of First Recorded Material:
Late hydrothermal alteration or weathering of triphylite.
Associated Minerals at First Recorded Locality:
Synonyms of Ferrisicklerite
Other Language Names for Ferrisicklerite
Russian:Феррисиклерит
Simplified Chinese:铁磷锂锰矿
Spanish:Ferrisicklerita
Pseudoheterosita
Pseudoheterosita
Traditional Chinese:鐵磷鋰錳礦
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 15 photos of Ferrisicklerite associated with Heterosite | Fe3+(PO4) |
| 3 photos of Ferrisicklerite associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
| 3 photos of Ferrisicklerite associated with Triphylite | LiFe2+PO4 |
| 2 photos of Ferrisicklerite associated with Sphalerite | ZnS |
| 2 photos of Ferrisicklerite associated with Wolfeite | Fe2+2(PO4)(OH) |
| 2 photos of Ferrisicklerite associated with Vivianite | Fe2+Fe2+2(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 1 photo of Ferrisicklerite associated with Purpurite | Mn3+(PO4) |
| 1 photo of Ferrisicklerite associated with Mitridatite | Ca2Fe3+3(PO4)3O2 · 3H2O |
| 1 photo of Ferrisicklerite associated with Phosphosiderite | FePO4 · 2H2O |
| 1 photo of Ferrisicklerite associated with 'Verdelite' |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.AB. | Kryzaite | Na4(MgCr)(PO4)3 |
| 8.AB. | Niasite | Ni2+4.5(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AB. | Johanngeorgenstadtite | Ni2+4.5(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AB. | Rodolicoite | Fe3+PO4 |
| 8.AB. | Karwowskiite | Ca9Mg(Fe2+0.5◻0.5)(PO4)7 |
| 8.AB. | Olsenite | KFe4(PO4)3 |
| 8.AB. | Borisenkoite | Cu3[(V,As)O4]2 |
| 8.AB.05 | Farringtonite | Mg3(PO4)2 |
| 8.AB.10 | Natrophilite | NaMn2+PO4 |
| 8.AB.10 | 'Sicklerite' | Li1-x(Mn3+xMn2+1-x)PO4 |
| 8.AB.10 | Simferite | LiMg(PO4) |
| 8.AB.10 | Heterosite | Fe3+(PO4) |
| 8.AB.10 | Lithiophilite | LiMn2+PO4 |
| 8.AB.10 | Karenwebberite | NaFe2+PO4 |
| 8.AB.10 | Triphylite | LiFe2+PO4 |
| 8.AB.10 | Purpurite | Mn3+(PO4) |
| 8.AB.15 | Zavalíaite | Mn2+3(PO4)2 |
| 8.AB.15 | Chopinite | Mg3(PO4)2 |
| 8.AB.15 | Sarcopside | Fe2+3(PO4)2 |
| 8.AB.20 | Beusite | Mn2+Mn2+2 (PO4)2 |
| 8.AB.20 | Graftonite-(Ca) | CaFe2+2(PO4)2 |
| 8.AB.20 | Graftonite-(Mn) | MnFe2+2(PO4)2 |
| 8.AB.20 | Graftonite | Fe2+Fe2+2(PO4)2 |
| 8.AB.20 | Beusite-(Ca) | CaMn2+2(PO4)2 |
| 8.AB.25 | Xanthiosite | Ni3(AsO4)2 |
| 8.AB.30 | Lammerite | Cu3(AsO4)2 |
| 8.AB.30 | Paralammerite | Cu3(AsO4)2 |
| 8.AB.35 | Mcbirneyite | Cu3(VO4)2 |
| 8.AB.35 | Pseudolyonsite | Cu3(VO4)2 |
| 8.AB.35 | Stranskiite | Zn2Cu(AsO4)2 |
| 8.AB.40 | Michalskiite | Fe3+1.33Cu2+2(MgFe3+)2(VO4)6 |
| 8.AB.40 | Lyonsite | Cu3Fe4(VO4)6 |
Fluorescence of Ferrisicklerite
Not fluorescent in UV
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in acids.
Alters to the Heterosite-Purpurite Series by oxidation of the Mn'' and leaching of the Li.
Alters to the Heterosite-Purpurite Series by oxidation of the Mn'' and leaching of the Li.
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 Ferrisicklerite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1499.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Ferrisicklerite
Reference List:
Quensel, Percy (1937) Minerals of the Varuträsk Pegmatite. I. The lithium - manganese phosphates. Geologiska Föreningen i Stockholm Förhandlingar, 59 (1) 77-96 doi:10.1080/11035893709444929
Quensel, Percy (1937) Minerals of the Varuträsk Pegmatite. I. The lithium - manganese phosphates. Geologiska Föreningen i Stockholm Förhandlingar, 59 (1) 77-96 doi:10.1080/11035893709444929
Björling, Carl Olof; Westgren, A. (1938) Minerals of the Varuträsk Pegmatite. IX. X-Ray Studies on Triphylite, Varulite, and their Oxidation Products. Geologiska Föreningen i Stockholm Förhandlingar, 60 (1). 67-72 doi:10.1080/11035893809443985
Mason, Brian (1941) Minerals of the Varuträsk Pegmatite. XXIII. Some iron-manganese phosphate minerals and their alteration products, with special reference to material from Varuträsk. Geologiska Föreningen i Stockholm Förhandlingar, 63 (2). 117-174 doi:10.1080/11035894109447128
Albertia, A. (1976) The crystal structure of ferrisicklerite, Li<1(Fe3+,Mn2+)PO4. Acta Crystallographica Section B Structural Crystallography and Crystal Chemistry, 32 (10) 2761-2764 doi:10.1107/s0567740876008832
Fransolet, André-Mathieu, Abraham, Kurt, Speetjens, Jean-Marie (1985) Evolution génétique et signification des associations de phosphates de la pegmatite d'Angarf-Sud, plaine de Tazenakht, Anti-Atlas, Maroc. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 108 (3) 551-574 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1985.7849
Dyar, M. D., Jawin, E. R., Breves, E., Marchand, G., Nelms, M., Lane, M. D., Mertzman, S. A., Bish, D. L., Bishop, J. L. (2014) Mössbauer parameters of iron in phosphate minerals: Implications for interpretation of martian data. American Mineralogist, 99 (5) 914-942 doi:10.2138/am.2014.4701
Localities for Ferrisicklerite
Showing 132 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.
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Palermo No. 1 Mine, Groton, Grafton County, New Hampshire, USA