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Griphite

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About GriphiteHide

Formula:
Na4Li2Ca6(Mn2+,Fe2+,Mg)19Al8(PO4)24(F,OH)8
Colour:
Yellow, dark-brown, brownish-black; yellowish brown to brown in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Vitreous, Resinous
Hardness:
Specific Gravity:
3.4
Crystal System:
Isometric
Name:
From the Greek γρίφος for "puzzle," in allusion to the chemical composition.
This page provides mineralogical data about Griphite.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
1752
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1752:3

Similar NamesHide

GraphiteA valid IMA mineral species - grandfatheredC

IMA Classification of GriphiteHide

Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Ca(Mn2+,Na,Li)6Fe2+Al2(PO4)6(F,OH)2
First published:
1891

Classification of GriphiteHide

8.BF.15

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
F : With medium-sized and large cations, (OH, etc.):RO4< 0.5:1
41.9.3.1

41 : ANHYDROUS PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
9 : (AB)5(XO4)3Zq
19.12.51

19 : Phosphates
12 : Phosphates of Mn

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference for Standard
GphIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of GriphiteHide

Vitreous, Resinous
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Yellow, dark-brown, brownish-black; yellowish brown to brown in transmitted light.
Hardness:
5½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Conchoidal
Density:
3.4 g/cm3 (Measured)    3.4 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of GriphiteHide

Type:
Isotropic

Chemistry of GriphiteHide

Mindat Formula:
Na4Li2Ca6(Mn2+,Fe2+,Mg)19Al8(PO4)24(F,OH)8
Element Weights:
Element% weight
O38.044 %
Mn25.855 %
P18.413 %
Ca5.956 %
Al5.347 %
F3.765 %
Na2.278 %
Li0.344 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
O
Mn
P
Ca
Al
F
Na
Li

Crystallography of GriphiteHide

Crystal System:
Isometric
Class (H-M):
m3(2/m3) - Diploidal
Space Group:
Pa3
Setting:
Pa3
Cell Parameters:
a = 12.22 Å
Unit Cell V:
1,824.79 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Massive; reniform at times.

Crystal StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0012066GriphiteRinaldi R (1978) The crystal structure of griphite, a complex phosphate, not a garnetoid Bulletin de Mineralogie 101 543-5471978Alberes, East Pyrenees, France0293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Loading XRD data...
Data Set:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
3.066 Å(40)
2.97 Å(40)
2.743 Å(100)
2.498 Å(40)
2.281 Å(30)
2.018 Å(30)
1.832 Å(20)
1.770 Å(20)
1.700 Å(30)
1.637 Å(60)
1.478 Å(20)
Comments:
Near Harney City, South Dakota, USA. Data from McConnell 1942.

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks>3.0
34 : Complex granite pegmatites

Type Occurrence of GriphiteHide

General Appearance of Type Material:
Kidney shaped masses weighing up to 22 kg (50 lbs).
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, number R05315 (type).
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Granite pegmatite.

Other Language Names for GriphiteHide

Dutch:Griphiet
German:Griphit
Russian:Грифит
Spanish:Griphita

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

8.BF.Manganoarrojadite-(KNa)(KNa)(NaNa)Mn2+(Na2◻)Fe2+13Al(PO4)11(PO3OH)(OH)2Mon. m : Bb
8.BF.Sigismundite(Ba◻)(Fe2+◻)Ca(Na2◻)Fe2+13Al(PO4)11(PO3OH)(OH)2Mon. m : Bb
8.BF.05Dickinsonite-(KMnNa)(KNa)(Mn2+◻)Ca(Na2Na)Mn2+13Al(PO4)11(PO4)(OH)2Mon. 2/m : B2/b
8.BF.05Arrojadite-(KNa)(KNa)(NaNa)Ca(Na2◻)Fe2+13Al(PO4)11(PO3OH)(OH)2Mon. m : Bb
8.BF.05Fluorarrojadite-(BaNa)(Ba◻)(NaNa)Ca(Na2◻)Fe2+13Al(PO4)11(PO3OH)F2Mon. m : Bb
8.BF.05Arrojadite-(KFe)(KNa)(Fe2+◻)Ca(Na2◻)Fe2+13Al(PO4)11(PO3OH)(OH)2Mon. m : Bb
8.BF.05Arrojadite-(PbFe)(Pb◻)(Fe2+◻)Ca(Na2◻)Fe2+13Al(PO4)11(PO3OH)(OH)2Mon. m : Bb
8.BF.05Fluorarrojadite-(BaFe)(Ba◻)(Fe2+◻)Ca(Na2◻)Fe2+13Al(PO4)11(PO3OH)F2Mon. m : Bb
8.BF.05'Unnamed (Ba-dominant member of dickinsonite group)'
8.BF.05'Unnamed (Pb-dominant member of dickinsonite group)'
8.BF.05Arrojadite-(SrFe)(Sr◻)(Fe2+◻)Ca(Na2◻)Fe2+13Al(PO4)11(PO3OH)(OH)2Mon. m : Bb
8.BF.05'Arrojadite-(NaFe)'(NaNa)(Fe2+◻)Ca(Na2◻)Fe2+13Al(PO4)11(PO3OH)(OH)2
8.BF.05Arrojadite-(BaNa)(Ba◻)(NaNa)Ca(Na2◻)Fe2+13Al(PO4)11(PO3OH)(OH)2Mon. 2/m : B2/b
8.BF.05'Arrojadite-(KFeNa)'(KNa)(Fe2+◻)Ca(Na2Na)Fe2+13Al(PO4)11(PO4)(OH)2
8.BF.05'Ferri-arrojadite-(BaNa)'(Ba◻)(NaNa)Ca(Na2◻)Fe2+13Fe3+(PO4)11(PO3OH)(OH)2
8.BF.05'Fluorarrojadite-(KNa)'(KNa)(NaNa)Ca(Na2◻)Fe2+13Al(PO4)11(PO3OH)F2
8.BF.05'Fluorarrojadite-(NaFe)'(NaNa)(Fe2+◻)Ca(Na2◻)Fe2+13Al(PO4)11(PO3OH)F2
8.BF.05Fluorcarmoite-(BaNa)(Ba◻)(NaNa)Ca(Na2◻)Mg13Al(PO4)11(PO3OH)F2Mon. m : Bb
8.BF.10Samuelsonite(Ca,Ba)Ca8Fe2+2Mn2+2Al2(PO4)10(OH)2Mon. 2/m : B2/m
8.BF.20NabiasiteBaMn9(VO4)6(OH)2Iso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
8.BF.25StarovaiteKCu5O(VO4)3 Tric. 1 : P1
8.BF.30Achyrophanite(K,Na)3(Fe3+,Ti,Al,Mg)5O2(AsO4)5Orth. 222 : P2221
8.BF.35CryptochalciteK2Cu5O(SO4)5Tric. 1 : P1
8.BF.35CesiodymiteCsKCu5O(SO4)5Tric. 1 : P1

Other InformationHide

Notes:
Readily 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.

Internet Links for GriphiteHide

References for GriphiteHide

Localities for GriphiteHide

Showing 11 localities.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
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Locality ListHide

- 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). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Argentina
 
  • La Rioja Province
    • General Ángel V. Peñaloza Department
Colombo et al. (2018)
Australia
 
  • Northern Territory
    • Central Desert Region
      • Delmore Downs station
        • Mount Ida
Jaffe 1946 Am Min
Canada
 
  • Manitoba
T.S. Ercit Can. Museum of Nature pers. ...
France
 
  • Occitanie
    • Pyrénées-Orientales
      • Céret
        • L'Albère
          • Saint-Jean de l'Albère
Guitard (2010)
Kyrgyzstan
 
  • Batken Region
    • Turkestan Ridge
      • Karasu-Karavshinskoye
        • Asan-Usun glacier
Karpenko V.Yu. et al. (OH)
Rwanda
 
  • Western Province
    • Ngororero District
      • Muhororo
Daltry et al. (1998)
Sweden
 
  • Stockholm County
    • Sigtuna
      • Arlanda
Swedish Museum of Natural History (Naturarv database)
USA (TL)
 
  • South Dakota
    • Pennington County
      • Harney City
Palache et al. (1951)
      • Keystone Mining District
        • Keystone
USGS Bull 380D
Smith et al. (2000)
  • Wisconsin
    • Florence County
      • Fern
        • Pine River pegmatites
Falster et al. (1996)
 
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