Florencite-(La)
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Florencite-(La)
Guilherme Florence
Formula:
LaAl3(PO4)2(OH)6
Colour:
Colorless to pale yellow; white in aggregates.
Lustre:
Resinous, Greasy
Hardness:
5 - 6
Specific Gravity:
3.52
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Member of:
Name:
Named for its relationship to florencite (now florencite-(Ce)). The root name florencite is in honour of Dr. Guilherme (William) Florence (19 June 1864 - 5 October 1942), Brazilian mineralogist with the São Paulo Geographic and Geological Commission. He made a preliminary chemical examination of the mineral. The "-(La)" suffix was added in 1987 (Nickel and Mandarino), in allusion to lanthanum being the dominant REE in the composition.
This page provides mineralogical data about Florencite-(La).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1561
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1561:1
Similar Names
| Florencite | A synonym | |
| Florencite-(Ce) | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | CeAl3(PO4)2(OH)6 |
| Florencite-(Nd) | A valid IMA mineral species | NdAl3(PO4)2(OH)6 |
| Florencite-(Sm) | A valid IMA mineral species | SmAl3(PO4)2(OH)6 |
IMA Classification of Florencite-(La)
Classification of Florencite-(La)
8.BL.13
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
L : With medium-sized and large cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 = 3:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
L : With medium-sized and large cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 = 3:1
41.5.10.3
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
19.9.11
19 : Phosphates
9 : Phosphates of rare earths and Sc
19 : Phosphates
9 : Phosphates of rare earths and Sc
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Flo-La | 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 Florencite-(La)
Resinous, Greasy
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Colorless to pale yellow; white in aggregates.
Hardness:
5 - 6 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Fracture:
Splintery
Density:
3.52(2) g/cm3 (Measured) 3.71 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Florencite-(La)
Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 1.694 nε = 1.701
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.007
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
Chemistry of Florencite-(La)
Mindat Formula:
LaAl3(PO4)2(OH)6
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Florencite-(La)
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m(32/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral
Space Group:
R3m
Setting:
R3m
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.987(2) Å, c = 16.248(6) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 2.325
Unit Cell V:
686.93 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
3
Morphology:
As pseudocubic rhombohedra, to 30 µm; as colloform crusts.
Comment:
May be metamict
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 2.93 Å | (100) |
| 5.67 Å | (90) |
| 2.171 Å | (80) |
| 3.49 Å | (70) |
| 1.884 Å | (70) |
| 1.743 Å | (70) |
| 1.601 Å | (70) |
| 1.190 Å | (70) |
| 1.281 Å | (50) |
Comments:
Shituru Mine, DR Congo. Data are from Lefebvre and Gasparrini (1980).
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 24 : Authigenic minerals in terrestrial sediments (see also #17) | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] |
Type Occurrence of Florencite-(La)
General Appearance of Type Material:
Euhedral, colorless to pale yellow crystals normally not exceeding 30 µm in diameter.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No designated type material.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Siltstones belonging to an intertidal facies and overlain by lagoonal dolomites. In specimen used as type, florencite-(La) made up 3% by volume of the siltstone.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Florencite-(La)
Florencite (in part)
Other Language Names for Florencite-(La)
Relationship of Florencite-(La) to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Plumbogummite Group:
| Arsenobenauite | SrFe3+3(AsO4)(AsO3OH)(OH)6 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
| Benauite | SrFe3+3(PO4)(PO3OH)(OH)6 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
| Crandallite | CaAl3(PO4)(PO3OH)(OH)6 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
| Eylettersite | Th0.75Al3(PO4)2(OH)6 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
| Florencite-(Ce) | CeAl3(PO4)2(OH)6 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
| Florencite-(Nd) | NdAl3(PO4)2(OH)6 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
| Florencite-(Sm) | SmAl3(PO4)2(OH)6 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
| Galloplumbogummite | Pb(Ga,Al,Ge)3(PO4)2(OH)6 | Trig. 3m : R3m |
| Gorceixite | BaAl3(PO4)(PO3OH)(OH)6 | Mon. m : Bm |
| Goyazite | SrAl3(PO4)(PO3OH)(OH)6 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
| Kintoreite | PbFe3(PO4)(PO3OH)(OH)6 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
| 'Kintoreite-2c' | PbFe3+3(PO4)2(OH,H2O)6 | |
| Plumbogummite | PbAl3(PO4)(PO3OH)(OH)6 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
| Springcreekite | BaV3+3(PO4)2(OH,H2O)6 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
| 'UM2006-23-PO:AlBiCaFeH' | (Ca,Bi)(Fe,Al)3(PO4)(PO3OH)(OH)6 | |
| 'Unnamed (As-analogue of Zaïrite)' | (Bi,Pb)Fe3+3(AsO4)2(OH)6 | |
| Waylandite | BiAl3(PO4)2(OH)6 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
| Zaïrite | BiFe3+3(PO4)2(OH)6 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.BL. | Kiryuite | NaMnAl(PO4)F3 |
| 8.BL. | Metaheimite | PbCu2(AsO4)(OH)3 |
| 8.BL. | Graulichite-(La) | LaFe3+3(AsO4)2(OH)6 |
| 8.BL. | Cloudite | BaFe3+3(PO4)(SO4)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL. | Oberwolfachite | SrFe3+3(AsO4)(SO4)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL. | Arsenobenauite | SrFe3+3(AsO4)(AsO3OH)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.05 | Gallobeudantite | PbGa3(AsO4)(SO4)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.05 | Slottaite | SrFe3+3(PO4)(SO4)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.05 | Corkite | PbFe3+3(PO4)(SO4)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.05 | Hidalgoite | PbAl3(AsO4)(SO4)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.05 | Hinsdalite | PbAl3(PO4)(SO4)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.05 | 'UM2011-07-POSO:AlBaH' | BaAl3(PO4)(SO4)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.05 | Kemmlitzite | SrAl3(AsO4)(SO4)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.05 | Beudantite | PbFe3+3(AsO4)(SO4)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.05 | Weilerite | BaAl3(AsO4)(SO4)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.05 | Woodhouseite | CaAl3(PO4)(SO4)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.05 | Svanbergite | SrAl3(PO4)(SO4)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.10 | Segnitite | PbFe3+3AsO4(AsO3OH)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.10 | Arsenogoyazite | SrAl3(AsO4)(AsO3OH)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.10 | Arsenogorceixite | BaAl3(AsO4)(AsO3OH)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.10 | Dussertite | BaFe3+3(AsO4)(AsO3OH)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.10 | Galloplumbogummite | Pb(Ga,Al,Ge)3(PO4)2(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.10 | Stibiosegnitite | Pb(Fe3+2.5Sb5+0.5)(AsO4)2(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.10 va | 'Viséite' | |
| 8.BL.10 | Arsenocrandallite | CaAl3(AsO4)(AsO3OH)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.10 | Benauite | SrFe3+3(PO4)(PO3OH)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.10 | Philipsbornite | PbAl3(AsO4)(AsO3OH)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.10 | Crandallite | CaAl3(PO4)(PO3OH)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.10 | Springcreekite | BaV3+3(PO4)2(OH,H2O)6 |
| 8.BL.10 | Eylettersite | Th0.75Al3(PO4)2(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.10 | Kintoreite | PbFe3(PO4)(PO3OH)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.10 | Plumbogummite | PbAl3(PO4)(PO3OH)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.10 | Gorceixite | BaAl3(PO4)(PO3OH)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.10 | Goyazite | SrAl3(PO4)(PO3OH)(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.13 | Florencite-(Ce) | CeAl3(PO4)2(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.13 | Florencite-(Nd) | NdAl3(PO4)2(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.13 | Zaïrite | BiFe3+3(PO4)2(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.13 | Arsenoflorencite-(La) | LaAl3(AsO4)2(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.13 | 'Arsenoflorencite-(Nd)' | NdAl3(AsO4)2(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.13 | 'Unnamed (As-analogue of Zaïrite)' | (Bi,Pb)Fe3+3(AsO4)2(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.13 | Arsenoflorencite-(Ce) | CeAl3(AsO4)2(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.13 | Graulichite-(Ce) | CeFe3+3(AsO4)2(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.13 | 'Arsenowaylandite' | BiAl3(AsO4)2(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.13 | Waylandite | BiAl3(PO4)2(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.13 | Florencite-(Sm) | SmAl3(PO4)2(OH)6 |
| 8.BL.15 | Viitaniemiite | Na(Ca,Mn2+)Al(PO4)(F,OH)3 |
| 8.BL.25 | Pattersonite | PbFe3+3(PO4)2(OH)5 · H2O |
Other Information
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 Florencite-(La)
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1561.html
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References for Florencite-(La)
Reference List:
Nickel, Ernest H., Mandarino, Joseph A. (1987) Procedures involving the IMA Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names and guidelines on mineral nomenclature. American Mineralogist, 72 (9-10) 1031-1042
Ghignone, Stefano, Prencipe, Mauro, Manzotti, Paola, Bruno, Marco, Boero, Federica, Borghini, Alessia, Costa, Emanuele, Ciriotti, Marco, Scaramuzzo, Emanuele (2024) The Raman spectrum of florencite‐(REE) [REEAl3(PO4)2(OH)6]: An integrated experimental and computational approach. Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, 55 (3) 394-405 doi:10.1002/jrs.6640
Localities for Florencite-(La)
Showing 16 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 | |
| Dymkov et al. (1997) |
| Habibi et al. (2026) |
| Habibi et al. (2025) |
Austria | |
| Bernhard (2006) |
| Kolitsch et al. (2020) |
Brazil | |
| Villar de Queiroz et al. (2025) |
| |
| Chukanov (2014) |
Chile | |
| Deyell et al. (2005) |
China | |
| Li et al. (2024) |
Czech Republic | |
| Scharm et al. (1983) |
| Scharm +7 other references | |
| Scharm et al. (2000) |
DR Congo (TL) | |
| Lefebvre et al. (1980) |
Gabon | |
| Am Min 81 (9-10) +1 other reference |
Germany | |
| 70. +1 other reference |
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Igarapé Bahia mine, Alemão Cu deposit, Parauapebas, Pará, Brazil