Lithiophosphate
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Lithiophosphate
Formula:
Li3PO4
Colour:
White, light pink, colourless
Lustre:
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous
Hardness:
4
Specific Gravity:
2.46 - 2.478
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named in 1957 by V. V. Matias and A. M. Bondareva for the chemical composition Lithio- and PHOSphate.
Type Locality:
This page provides mineralogical data about Lithiophosphate.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2420
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2420:0
IMA Classification of Lithiophosphate
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
Classification of Lithiophosphate
8.AA.20
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
A : Phosphates, etc. without additional anions, without H2O
A : With small cations (some also with larger ones)
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
A : Phosphates, etc. without additional anions, without H2O
A : With small cations (some also with larger ones)
38.4.10.1
38 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, AND VANADATES
4 : AXO4
38 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, AND VANADATES
4 : AXO4
19.1.1
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.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Lip | 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 Lithiophosphate
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
White, light pink, colourless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
4 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
Density:
2.46 - 2.478 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.479 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Lithiophosphate
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.550 - 1.553 nβ = 1.557 - 1.558 nγ = 1.566 - 1.567
2V:
Measured: 69° to 80°, Calculated: 74° to 84°
Birefringence:
0.015
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.014 - 0.016
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:
Low (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 weak
Optical Extinction:
XYZ = cab
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Lithiophosphate
Mindat Formula:
Li3PO4
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Lithiophosphate
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mm2 - Pyramidal
Space Group:
Pmn21
Setting:
Pmn21
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.115 Å, b = 5.234 Å, c = 4.845 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.168 : 1 : 0.926
Unit Cell V:
155.07 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Elongated crystals with striations || to elongation, also massive granular
Crystal Structure
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Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0013843 | Lithiophosphate | Wang B, Chakoumakos B C, Sales B C, Kwak B S, Bates J B (1995) Synthesis, crystal structure, and ionic conductivity of a polycrystalline lithium phosphorus oxynitride with the gamma-Li3PO4 structure Journal of Solid State Chemistry 115 313-323 | 1995 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0013842 | Lithiophosphate | Wang B, Chakoumakos B C, Sales B C, Kwak B S, Bates J B (1995) Synthesis, crystal structure, and ionic conductivity of a polycrystalline lithium phosphorus oxynitride with the gamma-Li3PO4 structure Journal of Solid State Chemistry 115 313-323 | 1995 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0012724 | Lithiophosphate | Baur W H (1980) Solid solutions between octahedral and tetrahedral olivine types in Li-Zn-germanates Inorganic and Nuclear Chemistry Letters 16 525-527 | 1980 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0012673 | Lithiophosphate | Keffer C, Mighell A D, Mauer F, Swanson H, Block S (1967) The crystal structure of twinned low-temperature lithium phosphate Inorganic Chemistry 6 119-125 | 1967 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0012460 | Lithiophosphate | Bondareva O S, Simonov M A, Belov N V (1978) The crystal structure of the synthetic analogue of the lithiophospate gamma-Li3PO4 Doklady Akademii Nauk SSSR 240 75-77 | 1978 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0009246 | Lithiophosphate | Zemann J (1960) Die kristallstruktur von lithiumphosphat, Li3PO4 Acta Crystallographica 13 863-867 |  | 1960 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.965 Å | (100) |
| 3.794 Å | (90) |
| 3.552 Å | (80) |
| 2.635 Å | (100) |
| 2.420 Å | (90) |
| 2.311 Å | (90) |
| 1.513 Å | (90) |
Comments:
Synthetic material
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 22 : Hydration and low-? subsurface aqueous alteration (see also #23) | |
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites |
Geological Setting:
Granite pegmatite
Type Occurrence of Lithiophosphate
General Appearance of Type Material:
White to pale pink grains in aggregates to 9 x 5 x 4 cm
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Granite pegmatite
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Lithiophosphate
Russian:Литиофосфат
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 7 photos of Lithiophosphate associated with Rhodochrosite | MnCO3 |
| 3 photos of Lithiophosphate associated with 'Cesian Analcime' | (Na,Cs)(AlSi2O6) · H2O |
| 3 photos of Lithiophosphate associated with Dorfmanite | Na2(PO3OH) · 2H2O |
| 2 photos of Lithiophosphate associated with Cassiterite | SnO2 |
| 2 photos of Lithiophosphate associated with Feldspar Group | |
| 2 photos of Lithiophosphate associated with 'Apatite' | Ca5(PO4)3A |
| 1 photo of Lithiophosphate associated with Cookeite | (LiAl4◻)[AlSi3O10](OH)8 |
| 1 photo of Lithiophosphate associated with Hydroxylapatite | Ca5(PO4)3(OH) |
| 1 photo of Lithiophosphate associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 1 photo of Lithiophosphate associated with Lithiophilite | LiMn2+PO4 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.AA.05 | Alarsite | AlAsO4 |
| 8.AA.05 | Berlinite | AlPO4 |
| 8.AA.10 | Beryllonite | NaBePO4 |
| 8.AA.15 | Hurlbutite | CaBe2(PO4)2 |
| 8.AA.25 | Nalipoite | NaLi2PO4 |
| 8.AA.30 | Olympite | Na5Li(PO4)2 |
Fluorescence of Lithiophosphate
Not fluorescent in UV
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 Lithiophosphate
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2420.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Lithiophosphate
Reference List:
Zambonini, F.; Laves, F. (1932) Über die Kristallstruktur des Li3PO4 und seine Beziehung zum Strukturtyp des Olivin. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, 83 (1-6). 26-28 doi:10.1524/zkri.1932.83.1.26
Zemann, J. (1960) Die Kristallstruktur von Lithiumphosphat, Li3PO4. Acta Crystallographica, 13 (11) 863-867 doi:10.1107/s0365110x60002132
Keffer, Charles, Mighell, Alan D., Mauer, Floyd, Swanson, Howard E., Block, Stanley (1967) Crystal structure of twinned low-temperature lithium phosphate. Inorganic Chemistry, 6 (1) 119-125 doi:10.1021/ic50047a027
Localities for Lithiophosphate
Showing 8 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 | |
| Magna et al. (2016) |
Brazil | |
| Donald Doell Collection +2 other references |
Canada | |
| 153-155. +3 other references |
Morocco | |
| Favreau (2012) |
Russia (TL) | |
| DAN-SSSR (1957) +1 other reference |
Serbia | |
| Putzolu et al. (2025) |
USA | |
| White (1969) +3 other references |
| Rocks & Minerals: 60: 117. +1 other reference |
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Tanco Mine, Bernic Lake, Lac-du-Bonnet area, Manitoba, Canada