Pyrosmalite-(Mn)
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Pyrosmalite-(Mn)
Formula:
Mn2+8Si6O15(OH,Cl)10
Colour:
Blackish green, pistachio-green, liver-brown, brown, gray
Lustre:
Pearly
Hardness:
4 - 4½
Specific Gravity:
3.06 - 3.19
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Member of:
Name:
Originally named manganpyrosmalite by By Clifford Frondel and Lawson H. Bauer for its manganese-dominant composition relative to the original pyrosmalite. Both pyrosmalites were later given suffixes, -(Mn) or -(Fe) by the IMA to indicated cation dominance in the chemical formula
Isostructural with:
Pyrosmalite-(Fe)-Pyrosmalite-(Mn) Series.
Chemically very similar to friedelite (monoclinic-pseudorhombohedral) and mcgillite.
Chemically very similar to friedelite (monoclinic-pseudorhombohedral) and mcgillite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2491
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2491:0
Similar Names
| Pyrosmalit | A synonym of 'Pyrosmalite' | |
| Pyrosmalite | A synonym of 'Pyrosmalite-(Fe)-Pyrosmalite-(Mn) Series' | |
| Pyrosmalite-(Fe) | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | Fe82+Si6O15(OH,Cl)10 |
IMA Classification of Pyrosmalite-(Mn)
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1953
Classification of Pyrosmalite-(Mn)
9.EE.10
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
E : Single tetrahedral nets of 6-membered rings connected by octahedral nets or octahedral bands
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
E : Single tetrahedral nets of 6-membered rings connected by octahedral nets or octahedral bands
72.4.1a.2
72 : PHYLLOSILICATES Two-Dimensional Infinite Sheets with Other Than Six-Membered Rings
4 : Two-Dimensional Infinite Sheets with Other Than Six-Membered Rings with 4-, 6-, and 12-membered rings
72 : PHYLLOSILICATES Two-Dimensional Infinite Sheets with Other Than Six-Membered Rings
4 : Two-Dimensional Infinite Sheets with Other Than Six-Membered Rings with 4-, 6-, and 12-membered rings
17.3.14
17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
3 : Silicates with chloride (including aluminosilicates)
17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
3 : Silicates with chloride (including aluminosilicates)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Pys-Mn | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Pys | Warr (2020) | Warr, L.N. (2020) Recommended abbreviations for the names of clay minerals and associated phases. Clay Minerals, 55, 261–264 doi:10.1180/clm.2020.30 |
Physical Properties of Pyrosmalite-(Mn)
Pearly
Transparency:
Translucent
Comment:
Pearly on {0001}
Colour:
Blackish green, pistachio-green, liver-brown, brown, gray
Hardness:
4 - 4½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect on {0001}, {1010} less perfect.
Perfect on {0001}, {1010} less perfect.
Density:
3.06 - 3.19 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.14 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Pyrosmalite-(Mn)
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.669 - 1.670 nε = 1.631
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.038 - 0.039
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:
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 uniaxial interference figure - the conoscopic
(convergent-light, Bertrand-lens-in) view, for a grain cut with the optic axis
centred and vertical. The coloured rings are isochromatics, computed with the
same physics as the Michel-Lévy bar above; the dark cross is the isogyre.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
O = greenish yellow; E = colorless.
Chemistry of Pyrosmalite-(Mn)
Mindat Formula:
Mn2+8Si6O15(OH,Cl)10
Element Weights:
Common Impurities:
As,Zn,Mg,Ca,H20
Chemical Analysis
Oxide wt%:
| 1 | |
|---|---|
| SiO2 | 33.64 % |
| Al2O3 | 0.19 % |
| Fe2O3* | 0.46 % |
| FeO* | 24.24 % |
| MnO | 26.89 % |
| CuO | 0.01 % |
| MgO | 0.58 % |
| CaO | 0.03 % |
| SrO | 0.02 % |
| Na2O | 0.01 % |
| Cl | 4.27 % |
| H2O* | 7.32 % |
| =O-(F+Cl) | -0.96 % |
| Total: | 96.7 % |
Sample references:
Crystallography of Pyrosmalite-(Mn)
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m(32/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral
Space Group:
P3m1
Setting:
P3m1
Cell Parameters:
a = 13.422(5) Å, c = 7.165(2) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.534
Unit Cell V:
1,117.84 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Thick prismatic hexagonal crystals, to 4 cm, in subparallel groups.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0005192 | Pyrosmalite-(Mn) | Kato T, Takeuchi Y (1983) The pyrosmalite group of minerals I. Structure refinement of Manganpyrosmalite The Canadian Mineralogist 21 1-6 |  | 1983 | Kyurazawa mine, Japan | 0 | 293 |
| 0018490 | Pyrosmalite-(Mn) | Takeuchi Y, Kawada I, Irimaziri S, Sadanaga R (1969) The crystal structure and polytypism of manganpyrosmalite Mineralogical Journal 5 450-467 | 1969 | Kyurazawa mine, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan | 0 | 293 | |
| 0018491 | Pyrosmalite-(Mn) | Kashaev A A (1968) The crystal structure of pyrosmalite Soviet Physics Crystallography 12 923-924 | 1968 | Central Kazakhstan | 0 | 293 | |
| 0005191 | Pyrosmalite-(Mn) | Kato T, Takeuchi Y (1983) The pyrosmalite group of minerals I. Structure refinement of Manganpyrosmalite Sample 1: Iron-rich manganpyrosmalite, Kyurazawa mine, Japan The Canadian Mineralogist 21 1-6 | | 1983 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 7.16 Å | (100) |
| 3.583 Å | (80) |
| 3.419 Å | (40) |
| 2.683 Å | (90) |
| 2.251 Å | (70) |
| 1.672 Å | (50) |
| 1.523 Å | (50) |
Comments:
Sterling Mine, New Jersey, USA. The data are from the type description.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| High-? alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 32 : Ba/Mn/Pb/Zn deposits, including metamorphic deposits |
Type Occurrence of Pyrosmalite-(Mn)
General Appearance of Type Material:
Granular veinlets in franklinite ore. Individual grains to about 0.3 mm.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 104214, 104215; National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, C6216.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Pyrosmalite-(Mn)
Other Language Names for Pyrosmalite-(Mn)
Relationship of Pyrosmalite-(Mn) to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Pyrosmalite Group:
| Friedelite | Mn2+8Si6O15(OH,Cl)10 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Mcgillite | (Mn,Fe)8Si6O15(OH)8Cl2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Nelenite | Mn2+16As3+3Si12O36(OH)17 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m |
| Pyrosmalite-(Fe) | Fe2+8Si6O15(OH,Cl)10 | Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1 |
| Schallerite | Mn2+16As3Si12O36(OH)17 | Trig. 3m : P3m1 |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 6 photos of Pyrosmalite-(Mn) associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 4 photos of Pyrosmalite-(Mn) associated with Baryte | BaSO4 |
| 4 photos of Pyrosmalite-(Mn) associated with Franklinite | Zn2+Fe3+2O4 |
| 4 photos of Pyrosmalite-(Mn) associated with Willemite | Zn2SiO4 |
| 3 photos of Pyrosmalite-(Mn) associated with Spessartine | Mn2+3Al2(SiO4)3 |
| 3 photos of Pyrosmalite-(Mn) associated with Fluorite | CaF2 |
| 2 photos of Pyrosmalite-(Mn) associated with Rhodonite | CaMn3Mn[Si5O15] |
| 2 photos of Pyrosmalite-(Mn) associated with Hedenbergite | CaFe2+Si2O6 |
| 2 photos of Pyrosmalite-(Mn) associated with Kidwellite | NaFe3+9+x(PO4)6(OH)11 · 3H2O, x = 0.33 |
| 1 photo of Pyrosmalite-(Mn) associated with Manganite | Mn3+O(OH) |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.EE. | Cairncrossite | Sr2Ca7-xNa2x(Si4O10)4(OH)2(H2O)15-x |
| 9.EE.05 | Bementite | Mn7Si6O15(OH)8 |
| 9.EE.07 | Innsbruckite | Mn33(Si2O5)14(OH)38 |
| 9.EE.10 | 'Brokenhillite' | Mn8Si6O15(OH)10 |
| 9.EE.10 | Mcgillite | (Mn,Fe)8Si6O15(OH)8Cl2 |
| 9.EE.10 | Friedelite | Mn2+8Si6O15(OH,Cl)10 |
| 9.EE.10 | Pyrosmalite-(Fe) | Fe2+8Si6O15(OH,Cl)10 |
| 9.EE.15 | Nelenite | Mn2+16As3+3Si12O36(OH)17 |
| 9.EE.15 | Schallerite | Mn2+16As3Si12O36(OH)17 |
| 9.EE.20 | Palygorskite | ◻Al2Mg2◻2Si8O20(OH)2(H2O)4 · 4H2O |
| 9.EE.20 | Yofortierite | Mn2+Mn2+2Mn2+2◻2Si8O20(OH)2(H2O)4 · 4H2O |
| 9.EE.20 | Windhoekite | Fe3+(Fe3+1.67◻0.33)Ca2◻2Si8O20(OH)2(H2O)4(OH)2 · 6H2O |
| 9.EE.20 | Windmountainite | ◻Fe3+2Mg2◻2Si8O20(OH)2(H2O)4 · 4H2O |
| 9.EE.20 | Ikorskyite | KMn3+(Si4O10) · 3H2O |
| 9.EE.20 | Tuperssuatsiaite | Fe3+Fe3+2(Na◻)◻2Si8O20(OH)2(H2O)4 · 2H2O |
| 9.EE.20 | 'Unnamed (Na-Ca-Fe-Silicate-Hydrate)' | NaCa(Fe2+,Al,Mn)5[Si8O19(OH)](OH)7 · 5H2O |
| 9.EE.25 | Sepiolite | Mg4(Si6O15)(OH)2 · 6H2O |
| 9.EE.25 | Loughlinite | Na2Mg3Si6O16 · 8H2O |
| 9.EE.25 | Falcondoite | (Ni,Mg)4Si6O15(OH)2 · 6H2O |
| 9.EE.25 | Kalifersite | (K,Na)5Fe3+7Si20O50(OH)6 · 12H2O |
| 9.EE.30 | Orlymanite | Ca4Mn3Si8O20(OH)6 · 2H2O |
| 9.EE.30 | Tungusite | Ca4Fe2Si6O15(OH)6 |
| 9.EE.30 | Gyrolite | NaCa16Si23AlO60(OH)8 · 14H2O |
| 9.EE.35 | Reyerite | (Na,K)2Ca14(Si,Al)24O58(OH)8 · 6H2O |
| 9.EE.35 | Kodamaite | Na3(Ca5Na)Si16O36(OH)4F2 · (14-x)H2O |
| 9.EE.35 | Truscottite | (Ca,Mn)14Si24O58(OH)8 · 2H2O |
| 9.EE.40 | Natrosilite | Na2Si2O5 |
| 9.EE.45 | Makatite | Na2Si4O8(OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 9.EE.50 | Varennesite | Na8Mn2Si10O25(OH,Cl)2 · 12H2O |
| 9.EE.55 | Raite | Mn2+Mn2+2Na2(◻1.75Ti0.25)Si8O20(OH)2(H2O)4 · Na(H2O)6 |
| 9.EE.60 | Intersilite | Na6Mn2+Ti[Si10O24(OH)](OH)3 · 4H2O |
| 9.EE.65 | Zakharovite | Na4Mn5Si10O24(OH)6 · 6H2O |
| 9.EE.65 | Shafranovskite | Na3K2(Mn,Fe,Na)4[Si9(O,OH)27](OH)2 · nH2O |
| 9.EE.70 | Zeophyllite | Ca13Si10O28(OH)2F8 · 6H2O |
| 9.EE.75 | Minehillite | (K,Na)2-3Ca28Zn4Al4Si40O112(OH)16 |
| 9.EE.80 | Fedorite | (Na,K)2-3(Ca4Na3)Si16O38(OH,F)2 · 3.5H2O |
| 9.EE.80 | Martinite | (Na,◻,Ca)12Ca4(Si,S,B)14B2O38(OH,Cl)2F2 · 4H2O |
| 9.EE.80 | Ellingsenite | Na5Ca6Si18O38(OH)13 · 6H2O |
| 9.EE.85 | Lalondeite | (Na,Ca)6(Ca,Na)3Si16O38(F,OH)2 · 3H2O |
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 Pyrosmalite-(Mn)
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2491.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Pyrosmalite-(Mn)
Reference List:
Frondel, Clifford, Bauer, L. H. (1953) Manganpyrosmalite and its polymorphic relation to friedelite and schallerite. American Mineralogist, 38 (9-10) 755-760
Hey, Max H. (1956) The empirical unit cell contents of the friedelite group. American Mineralogist, 41 (1-2) 134-138
Hutton, C. Osborne (1956) Manganpyrosmalite, bustamite, and ferroan johannsenite from Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia. American Mineralogist, 41 (7-8) 581-591
Takéuchi, Yoshio, Kawada, Isao, Irimaziri, Shigeko, Sadanaga, Ryoichi (1969) The crystal structure and polytypism of manganpyrosmalite. Mineralogical Journal, 5 (6) 450-467 doi:10.2465/minerj1953.5.450
Localities for Pyrosmalite-(Mn)
Showing 39 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 | |
| Stillwell et al. (1957) +1 other reference |
| MIM Museum | |
| M Willoughby collection | |
| Domenico Preite specimen | |
| Francis (2010) |
Canada | |
| Mark Mauthner specimen +1 other reference |
| Pan et al. (1993) +1 other reference |
| Canadian Mineralogist 31 +2 other references |
China | |
| Pan et al. (1993) |
| Shu et al. (2022) |
| Zhao et al. (2003) | |
| Zhao et al. (2003) | |
| Zhao et al. (2003) | |
| Zhao et al. (2003) | |
France | |
| Bourbon et al. (1972) |
Italy | |
| Balestra et al. (2020) |
Japan | |
| - (n.d.) |
| Frank K. Mazdab collection (thin section FKM-190) |
| - (n.d.) | |
| Introduction to Japanese Minerals (Geological Survey of Japan, 1970) +1 other reference |
| Kato et al. (1994) | |
Norway | |
| Kvamsdal et al. (2014) |
Portugal | |
| Azevedo (2024) |
Romania | |
| Hîrtopanu et al. (2003) +1 other reference | |
| Hârtopanu et al. (1996) |
| Hârtopanu et al. (1996) +1 other reference |
| Munteanu (1993) +1 other reference |
| minerals-of-the-carpathians.eu (2008) |
| Hîrtopanu (1997) +1 other reference |
Russia | |
| Brusnitsyn (2006) |
Slovakia | |
| Rojkovič (2001) +1 other reference |
| Myšľan et al. (2024) |
| Radvanec M. and Gonda S. (2020) +1 other reference |
Sweden | |
| Holtstam (2001) |
| Gatedal (n.d.) |
| Nysten (2004) |
Switzerland | |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
Turkey | |
| Öztürk (1997) |
USA (TL) | |
| Frondel et al. (1953) +2 other references |
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Broken Hill, Broken Hill district, Yancowinna Co., New South Wales, Australia