Maxwellite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Maxwellite
Formula:
NaFe3+(AsO4)F
Colour:
Red
Lustre:
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous
Hardness:
5 - 5½
Specific Gravity:
3.90
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named by Eugene E. Foord, Paul F. Hlava, Joan J. Fitzpatrick, Richard C. Erd, and R. W. Hinton in honor of Charles Henry Maxwell (9 July 1923 – 29 May 2000 Denver, Colorado), geologist and mineralogist with the U.S. Geological Survey, who studied the Taylor Creek district.
Isostructural with:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2605
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2605:1
IMA Classification of Maxwellite
Classification of Maxwellite
8.BH.10
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
H : With medium-sized and large cations, (OH,etc.):RO4 = 1:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
H : With medium-sized and large cations, (OH,etc.):RO4 = 1:1
41.5.5.3
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
22.1.21
22 : Phosphates, Arsenates or Vanadates with other Anions
1 : Phosphates, arsenates or vanadates with fluoride
22 : Phosphates, Arsenates or Vanadates with other Anions
1 : Phosphates, arsenates or vanadates with fluoride
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Max | 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 Maxwellite
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Red
Streak:
Pale red-orange to red-orange
Hardness:
5 - 5½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
{110}
{110}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
3.90 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.95 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Maxwellite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.748 nβ = 1.772 nγ = 1.798
2V:
Measured: 86° to 89°, Calculated: 90°
Birefringence:
0.050
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.050
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:
r > v strong
Comments:
X=Y= medium yellow-orange; Z= dark orange-red.
Chemistry of Maxwellite
Mindat Formula:
NaFe3+(AsO4)F
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Maxwellite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P2/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.16 Å, b = 8.78 Å, c = 6.68 Å
β = 114.58°
β = 114.58°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.815 : 1 : 0.761
Unit Cell V:
381.88 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Slightly elongated to blocky crystals.
Forms on type material: {013}, {526}, {526}, {011}.
Forms on type material: {013}, {526}, {526}, {011}.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0014873 | Maxwellite | Cooper M A, Hawthorne F C (1995) The crystal structure of maxwellite Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, Monatshefte 1995 97-104 | 1995 | Squaw Creek, Catron County, New Mexico, USA | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.290 Å | (100) |
| 2.614 Å | (80) |
| 3.039 Å | (75) |
| 4.844 Å | (70) |
| 2.637 Å | (50) |
| 3.642 Å | (35) |
| 3.437 Å | (35) |
Comments:
Original description
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 4a: Earth’s earliest continental crust | >4.4-3.0 |
| 20 : Acidic volcanic rocks | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45a : [Sulfates, arsenates, selenates, antimonates] | |
| 45b : [Other oxidized fumarolic minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Maxwellite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Red aggregates to 3 mm and as blocky to short prismatic euhedral to subhedral crystals up to 1 mm long.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 166613.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Formed as a rarity in miarolitic cavities in rhyolite adjacent to high-temperature veins in a hydrothermal tin deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Maxwellite
Other Language Names for Maxwellite
Relationship of Maxwellite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Tilasite Group:
| Arsenatrotitanite | NaTi(AsO4)O | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Durangite | NaAl(AsO4)F | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Isokite | CaMg(PO4)F | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Kononovite | NaMg(SO4)F | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Lacroixite | NaAl(PO4)F | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Panasqueiraite | CaMg(PO4)(OH) | Mon. |
| Reznitskyite | CaMg(VO4)F | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Tilasite | CaMg(AsO4)F | Mon. |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 12 photos of Maxwellite associated with Tripuhyite | Fe3+Sb5+O4 |
| 2 photos of Maxwellite associated with Pseudobrookite | Fe3+2Ti4+O5 |
| 2 photos of Maxwellite associated with Mordenite | (Na2,Ca,K2)4(Al8Si40)O96 · 28H2O |
| 1 photo of Maxwellite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 1 photo of Maxwellite associated with Adelite | CaMg(AsO4)(OH) |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.BH. | Peterchinite | Zn3Zn2(OH)6As[O3(OH)3] |
| 8.BH. | Reznitskyite | CaMg(VO4)F |
| 8.BH. | Plumbogottlobite | PbMg(VO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH. | Cuprozheshengite | Pb4CuZn2(AsO4)2(PO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BH. | Zheshengite | Pb4ZnZn2(AsO4)2(PO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BH. | Crimsonite | PbFe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BH.05 | Thadeuite | Ca(Mg,Fe2+)3(PO4)2(OH,F)2 |
| 8.BH.10 | Panasqueiraite | CaMg(PO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.10 | Isokite | CaMg(PO4)F |
| 8.BH.10 | Lacroixite | NaAl(PO4)F |
| 8.BH.10 | Arsenatrotitanite | NaTi(AsO4)O |
| 8.BH.10 | Durangite | NaAl(AsO4)F |
| 8.BH.10 | Kononovite | NaMg(SO4)F |
| 8.BH.15 | Drugmanite | Pb2Fe3+(PO4)(PO3OH)(OH)2 |
| 8.BH.20 | Nigelcookite | PbFe2+2V3+2(PO4)3(OH)3 |
| 8.BH.20 | Plumbojohntomaite | PbFe2+2Fe3+2(PO4)3(OH)3 |
| 8.BH.20 | Cirrolite | Ca3Al2(PO4)3(OH)3 (?) |
| 8.BH.20 | Penikisite | Ba(Mg,Fe2+,Ca)2Al2(PO4)3(OH)3 |
| 8.BH.20 | Perloffite | Ba(Mn2+,Fe2+)2Fe3+2(PO4)3(OH)3 |
| 8.BH.20 | Bjarebyite Group | |
| 8.BH.20 | Strontioperloffite | SrMn2+2Fe3+2(PO4)3(OH)3 |
| 8.BH.20 | Plumboperloffite | PbMn2+2Fe3+2(PO4)3(OH)3 |
| 8.BH.20 | Johntomaite | BaFe2+2Fe3+2(PO4)3(OH)3 |
| 8.BH.20 | Bjarebyite | (Ba,Sr)(Mn2+,Fe2+,Mg)2Al2(PO4)3(OH)3 |
| 8.BH.20 | Kulanite | Ba(Fe2+,Mn2+,Mg)2(Al,Fe3+)2(PO4)3(OH)3 |
| 8.BH.25 | Bertossaite | Li2CaAl4(PO4)4(OH)4 |
| 8.BH.25 | Natropalermoite | Na2SrAl4(PO4)4(OH)4 |
| 8.BH.25 | Palermoite | Li2SrAl4(PO4)4(OH)4 |
| 8.BH.30 | Sewardite | CaFe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BH.30 | Carminite | PbFe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BH.35 | Adelite | CaMg(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.35 | Duftite | PbCu(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.35 | Cobaltaustinite | CaCo(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.35 | Nickelaustinite | CaNi(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.35 | Gabrielsonite | PbFe3+(As3+O3)O |
| 8.BH.35 | Conichalcite | CaCu(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.35 | Arsendescloizite | PbZn(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.35 | 'Duftite-alpha' | PbCu(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.35 | Gottlobite | CaMg(VO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.35 | Austinite | CaZn(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.35 | Hermannroseite | CaCu(PO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.35 | Tangeite | CaCu(VO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.40 | Čechite | PbFe2+(VO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.40 | Khorixasite | (Bi0.67◻0.33)Cu(VO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.40 | Mottramite | PbCu(VO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.40 | Descloizite | PbZn(VO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.40 | Pyrobelonite | PbMn2+(VO4)(OH) |
| 8.BH.45 | Bayldonite | PbCu3(AsO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BH.45 | Vésigniéite | BaCu3(VO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BH.50 | Paganoite | NiBi(AsO4)O |
| 8.BH.55 | Jagowerite | BaAl2(PO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BH.55 | Harrisonite | Ca(Fe2+,Mg)6(PO4)2(SiO4)2 |
| 8.BH.60 | Attakolite | CaMn2+Al4(SiO3OH)(PO4)3(OH)4 |
| 8.BH.65 | Leningradite | PbCu3(VO4)2Cl |
| 8.BH.70 | Katiarsite | KTiO(AsO4) |
| 8.BH.70 | Yurgensonite | K2SnTiO2(AsO4)2 |
| 8.BH.75 | Melanarsite | K3Cu7Fe3+O4(AsO4)4 |
| 8.BH.80 | Evseevite | Na2Mg(AsO4)F |
| 8.BH.80 | Moraskoite | Na2Mg(PO4)F |
| 8.BH.85 | Piccoliite | NaCaMn3+2(AsO4)2O(OH) |
Fluorescence of Maxwellite
Not fluorescent in UV.
Other Information
Notes:
Slowly soluble in HCl and HNO3, and readily soluble in hot H2SO4.
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 Maxwellite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2605.html
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References for Maxwellite
Localities for Maxwellite
Showing 4 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.
USA (TL) | |
| - (1989) +2 other references |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) | |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
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Squaw Creek Mine, Taylor Creek Mining District, Catron County, New Mexico, USA