Mansfieldite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Mansfieldite
George R. Mansfield
Formula:
AlAsO4 · 2H2O
Colour:
White, light gray; colourless in transmitted light.
Hardness:
3½ - 4
Specific Gravity:
3.03
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
After George R. Mansfield (1875-1947), American geologist, U.S. Geological Survey.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2568
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2568:9
IMA Classification of Mansfieldite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
AlAs5+O4(H2O)2
Classification of Mansfieldite
8.CD.10
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
D : With only medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O = 1:2
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
D : With only medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O = 1:2
40.4.1.4
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
4 : (AB)5(XO4)2·xH2O
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
4 : (AB)5(XO4)2·xH2O
20.4.1
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
4 : Arsenates of Group III metals (Al, rare earths)
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
4 : Arsenates of Group III metals (Al, rare earths)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mfd | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Mansfieldite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Mansfieldite
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
White, light gray; colourless in transmitted light.
Hardness:
3½ - 4 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Imperfect/Fair
On {201}, imperfect; on {001} and {100} in traces.
On {201}, imperfect; on {001} and {100} in traces.
Fracture:
Sub-Conchoidal
Density:
3.03 g/cm3 (Measured)
Comment:
Measured value on Hobart Butte material.
Optical Data of Mansfieldite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.622 - 1.631 nβ = 1.624 - 1.649 nγ = 1.642 - 1.663
2V:
Measured: 30° to 68°, Calculated: 38° to 82°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.020 - 0.032
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
Dispersion:
none
Chemistry of Mansfieldite
Mindat Formula:
AlAsO4 · 2H2O
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Mansfieldite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pbca
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.8218 Å, b = 9.8252 Å, c = 10.1163 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.898 : 1 : 1.03
Unit Cell V:
876.8 ų
Morphology:
Porous, cellular masses and crusts of spherulitic fibers.
Crystal Structure
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0010489 | Mansfieldite | Zoppi M, Pratesi G (2009) Rietveld refinment of a natural cobaltian mansfieldite from synchrotron data Acta Crystallographica E65 i6-i7 |  | 2009 | Mt. Cobalt, Cloncurry District, Queensland, Australia | 0 | 293 |
| 0010322 | Mansfieldite | Harrison W T A (2000) Synthetic mansfieldite, AlAsO4*2H2O Acta Crystallographica C56 e421-e421 | 2000 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 5.45 Å | (vvs) |
| 4.36 Å | (vvs) |
| 3.97 Å | (ms) |
| 3.09 Å | (vs) |
| 2.98 Å | (s) |
| 2.52 Å | (s) |
| 1.627 Å | (ms) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 22 : Hydration and low-? subsurface aqueous alteration (see also #23) | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 46 : Near-surface hydrothermal alteration of minerals (see also #22) |
Type Occurrence of Mansfieldite
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Mansfieldite
Dutch:Mansfieldiet
German:Mansfieldit
Russian:Мансфильдит
Simplified Chinese:砷铝石
Spanish:Mansfieldita
Traditional Chinese:砷鋁石
Varieties of Mansfieldite
| Cobalt-bearing Mansfieldite | A cobalt-bearing variety of mansfieldite. |
| Copper-bearing Mansfieldite | A copper-bearing variety of Mansfieldite. |
Relationship of Mansfieldite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Variscite Group:
| Scorodite | Fe3+AsO4 · 2H2O | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) |
| Strengite | FePO4 · 2H2O | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbca |
| Variscite | AlPO4 · 2H2O | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbca |
| Yanomamite | InAsO4 · 2H2O | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbca |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 33 photos of Mansfieldite associated with Erythrite | Co3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 32 photos of Mansfieldite associated with Smolyaninovite | Co3Fe3+2(AsO4)4 · 11H2O |
| 19 photos of Mansfieldite associated with Olivenite | Cu2(AsO4)(OH) |
| 17 photos of Mansfieldite associated with Heterogenite | Co3+O(OH) |
| 10 photos of Mansfieldite associated with Pharmacoalumite | KAl4(AsO4)3(OH)4 · 6.5H2O |
| 10 photos of Mansfieldite associated with Rruffite | Ca2Cu(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 10 photos of Mansfieldite associated with Lavendulan | NaCaCu5(AsO4)4Cl · 5H2O |
| 5 photos of Mansfieldite associated with Zeunerite | Cu(UO2)2(AsO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 4 photos of Mansfieldite associated with Carbonatecyanotrichite | Cu4Al2(CO3,SO4)(OH)12 · 2H2O |
| 4 photos of Mansfieldite associated with Cyanotrichite | Cu4Al2(SO4)(OH)12 · 2H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.CD. | Castellaroite | Mn2+3(AsO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CD. | Sergeysmirnovite | MgZn2(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CD.05 | Phosphosiderite | FePO4 · 2H2O |
| 8.CD.05 | Metavariscite | AlPO4 · 2H2O |
| 8.CD.05 | Bonacinaite | Sc(AsO4) · 2H2O |
| 8.CD.05 | Kolbeckite | ScPO4 · 2H2O |
| 8.CD.10 | Yanomamite | InAsO4 · 2H2O |
| 8.CD.10 | Scorodite | Fe3+AsO4 · 2H2O |
| 8.CD.10 | Variscite | AlPO4 · 2H2O |
| 8.CD.10 | Strengite | FePO4 · 2H2O |
| 8.CD.15 | Parascorodite | FeAsO4 · 2H2O |
| 8.CD.20 | Ludlamite | Fe2+3(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CD.25 | Sterlinghillite | Mn2+3(AsO4)2 · 3H2O |
| 8.CD.30 | Rollandite | Cu3(AsO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CD.35 | Liversidgeite | Zn6(PO4)4 · 7H2O |
| 8.CD.40 | Thorasphite | Th2H(PO4,AsO4)3 · 6H2O |
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 Mansfieldite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2568.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Mansfieldite
Reference List:
Allen, Victor T., Fahey, Joseph J. (1948) Mansfieldite, a new arsenate, the aluminum analogue of scorodite, and the mansfieldite-scorodite series. American Mineralogist, 33 (3-4) 122-134
Harrison, William T. A. (2000) Synthetic mansfieldite, AlAsO4·2H2O. Acta Crystallographica Section C Crystal Structure Communications, 56 (10). e421 doi:10.1107/s0108270100011690
Zoppi, Matteo, Pratesi, Giovanni (2009) Rietveld refinement of a natural cobaltian mansfieldite from synchrotron data. Acta Crystallographica Section E Structure Reports Online, 65 (2). i6-i7 doi:10.1107/s1600536808044127
Gomez, Mario A., Le Berre, Jean-Francois, Assaaoudi, Hassane, Demopoulos, George P. (2011) Raman spectroscopic study of the hydrogen and arsenate bonding environment in isostructural synthetic arsenates of the variscite group-M3+AsO4·2H2O (M3+ = Fe, Al, In and Ga): implications for arsenic release in water. Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, 42 (1). 62-71 doi:10.1002/jrs.2639
Kloprogge, J. Theo, Wood, Barry J. (2017) X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopic and Raman microscopic investigation of the variscite group minerals: Variscite, strengite, scorodite and mansfieldite. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 185. 163-172 doi:10.1016/j.saa.2017.05.042
Majzlan, Juraj, Nielsen, Ulla Gro, Dachs, Edgar, Benisek, Artur, Drahota, Petr, Kolitsch, Uwe, Herrmann, Julia, Bolanz, Ralph, Števko, Martin (2018) Thermodynamic properties of mansfieldite (AlAsO4·2H2O), angelellite (Fe4(AsO4)2O3) and kamarizaite (Fe3(AsO4)2(OH)3·3H2O) Mineralogical Magazine, 82 (6) 1333-1354 doi:10.1180/mgm.2018.107
Localities for Mansfieldite
Showing 64 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.
Algeria | |
| Analyzed by XRD by Dr. Joan Vinals (Barcelona) |
Australia | |
| [var: Cobalt-bearing Mansfieldite] Day et al. (1995) +3 other references |
| Ferguson (1999) |
Chile | |
| Maurizio Dini collection +1 other reference |
| Ondruš et al. (2006) | |
| Anthony et al. (2000) | |
| Vincent Bourgoin collection. | |
| Robert A. Jenkins find - personal ... |
| samples analysed by Dr. Tony Kampf +1 other reference | |
| Uwe Kolitsch (powder XRD) +2 other references | |
| Josef Vajdak (2002) |
| samples analysed by Anthony Kampf +1 other reference |
China | |
| www.cicresources.com (2006) |
Czech Republic | |
| |
| Sejkora et al. (2006) |
France | |
| Queneau (n.d.) |
| Lheur et al. (2010) |
| [var: Copper-bearing Mansfieldite] van den Berg (1987) +1 other reference |
| Georges FAVREAU collection & EDX ... | |
Germany | |
| American Mineralogist: 67: 854. +1 other reference |
| Lapis (9) |
| Witzke (2012) |
Greece | |
| Rieck et al. (2018) |
Iran | |
| Daliran (2008) |
Italy | |
| Frau et al. (2001) |
| Stara et al. (1996) |
| Fernando Caboni et al. (2024) | |
| Fernando Caboni et al. (2024) |
| Brizzi et al. (1994) |
| Stara et al. (1996) | |
| Ciriotti M.E. and Blass.G. (2010) |
Kazakhstan | |
| Kopchenova et al. (1962) +3 other references |
Kyrgyzstan | |
| Karpenko et al. (2025) |
Mexico | |
| [var: Cobalt-bearing Mansfieldite] Panczner (1987) |
Morocco | |
| Favreau et al. (2006) |
| Favreau et al. (2006) |
| Favreau et al. (2006) | |
| Favreau et al. (2006) |
| Georges FAVREAU collection & EDX ... | |
| Favreau et al. (2006) |
North Macedonia | |
| Alois Lechner collection (analysed by G. Blass 2009, re-analysed by Uwe Kolitsch) |
Poland | |
| Ł. Kruszewski PXRD data (to be published soon) +3 other references |
Portugal | |
| Alves (n.d.) |
| Alves (n.d.) |
| Gomes et al. (2016) |
Russia | |
| Gamyanin et al. (2014) |
Slovakia | |
| Martin Števko-unpublished |
Spain | |
| Calvo Rebollar et al. (2022) |
| Rewitzer et al. (2018) |
| CARMONA RUIZ et al. (2025) |
| Castroviejo (1990) |
| MinRec-2003-0708-315 |
| Fabre (n.d.) |
Switzerland | |
| Dill (2008) |
UK | |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
USA | |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Barrick Gold Corporation | |
| Bowell et al. (2005) |
| Am Min (1948) +1 other reference |
| Gruner (1959) |
| Cannon (1975) |
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Jote Mine, Pampa Larga mining district, Tierra Amarilla, Copiapó Province, Atacama, Chile