Messelite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Messelite
Formula:
Ca2Fe2+(PO4)2 · 2H2O
Colour:
White, pale gray white, creamy white
Lustre:
Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Waxy, Greasy
Hardness:
3½
Specific Gravity:
3.15 - 3.16
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1889 by Wilhelm Muthmann after the type locality at Messel, Hessen, Germany.
Dimorph of:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2658
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2658:7
Similar Names
| Mesolite | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | Na2Ca2Si9Al6O30 · 8H2O |
| Tesselite | A synonym of Apophyllite Group |
IMA Classification of Messelite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Ca2Fe2+(PO4)2·2H2O
First published:
1890
Classification of Messelite
8.CG.05
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
G : With large and medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O = 1:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
G : With large and medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O = 1:1
40.2.2.2
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
2 : AB2(XO4)2·xH2O
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
2 : AB2(XO4)2·xH2O
19.12.40
19 : Phosphates
12 : Phosphates of Mn
19 : Phosphates
12 : Phosphates of Mn
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Msl | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Mes | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Messelite
Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Waxy, Greasy
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
White, pale gray white, creamy white
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
{001}
{001}
Fracture:
Sub-Conchoidal
Comment:
Fracture or cleavage surfaces may be curved
Density:
3.15 - 3.16 g/cm3 (Measured)
Optical Data of Messelite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.644 - 1.654 nβ = 1.649 - 1.659 nγ = 1.660 - 1.680
2V:
Measured: 20° to 35°, Calculated: 62°
Birefringence:
0.021
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.016 - 0.026
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:
Very 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 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:
relatively strong
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Messelite
Mindat Formula:
Ca2Fe2+(PO4)2 · 2H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Messelite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Setting:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.480(1) Å, b = 5.759(1) Å, c = 6.569(1) Å
α = 90.18(3)°, β = 102.62(3)°, γ = 108.45(3)°
α = 90.18(3)°, β = 102.62(3)°, γ = 108.45(3)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.952 : 1 : 1.141
Unit Cell V:
191.32 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
Morphology:
Crystals aggregated into crude stellate bunches.
Comment:
Cell data from Fleck and Kolitsch (2003).
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0011103 | Messelite | Fleck M, Kolitsch U (2003) Natural and synthetic compounds with krohnkite-type chains. An update Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 218 553-567 | 2003 | "Leithorizont M", Messel oil shale, near Darmstadt, Germany | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 9.00 Å | (50) |
| 6.34 Å | (100) |
| 5.07 Å | (50) |
| 3.17 Å | (100) |
| 3.02 Å | (80) |
| 2.79 Å | (60) |
| 2.68 Å | (80) |
| 2.57 Å | (70) |
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 Messelite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Radiating blades in indurated clay slate.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Bituminous clay.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Messelite
Other Language Names for Messelite
Relationship of Messelite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Collinsite Group:
| Anorthoroselite | Ca2Co(AsO4)2 · 2H2O | Tric. |
| Cassidyite | Ca2Ni(PO4)2 · 2H2O | Tric. |
| Collinsite | Ca2Mg(PO4)2 · 2H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Fairfieldite | Ca2Mn2+(PO4)2 · 2H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Gaitite | Ca2Zn(AsO4)2 · 2H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Hillite | Ca2Zn(PO4)2 · 2H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Nickeltalmessite | Ca2Ni(AsO4)2 · 2H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Parabrandtite | Ca2Mn2+(AsO4)2 · 2H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Talmessite | Ca2Mg(AsO4)2 · 2H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| 'Unnamed (Fe2+-analogue of Parabrandtite)' | Ca2Fe2+(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 25 photos of Messelite associated with Siderite | FeCO3 |
| 25 photos of Messelite associated with Mitridatite | Ca2Fe3+3(PO4)3O2 · 3H2O |
| 24 photos of Messelite associated with Vivianite | Fe2+Fe2+2(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 20 photos of Messelite associated with Hydroxylapatite | Ca5(PO4)3(OH) |
| 10 photos of Messelite associated with Ludlamite | Fe2+3(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 7 photos of Messelite associated with Arrojadite-(KFe) | (KNa)(Fe2+◻)Ca(Na2◻)Fe2+13Al(PO4)11(PO3OH)(OH)2 |
| 6 photos of Messelite associated with Diadochite | Fe3+2(PO4)(SO4)(OH) · 6H2O |
| 6 photos of Messelite associated with Triphylite | LiFe2+PO4 |
| 5 photos of Messelite associated with Kryzhanovskite | (Fe3+,Mn2+)3(PO4)2(OH,H2O)3 |
| 5 photos of Messelite associated with Laueite | Mn2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.CG. | Fluckite | CaMn2+(AsO3OH)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG. | Dondoellite | Ca2Fe(PO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG. | 'Ca-Huréaulite' | CaMn5(PO4)4 · 4H2O |
| 8.CG. | Alumolukrahnite | Ca[CuAl](AsO4)2(H2O,OH)2 |
| 8.CG.05 | Parabrandtite | Ca2Mn2+(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.05 | Talmessite | Ca2Mg(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.05 | Collinsite | Ca2Mg(PO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.05 | Gaitite | Ca2Zn(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.05 | Anorthoroselite | Ca2Co(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.05 | Cassidyite | Ca2Ni(PO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.05 | Fairfieldite | Ca2Mn2+(PO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.05 | Hillite | Ca2Zn(PO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.05 | 'Unnamed (Fe2+-analogue of Parabrandtite)' | Ca2Fe2+(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.10 | Zincroselite | Ca2Zn(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.10 | Roselite | Ca2Co(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.10 | Rruffite | Ca2Cu(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.10 | Wendwilsonite | Ca2Mg(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.10 | Brandtite | Ca2Mn2+(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.10 | 'Unnamed (Fe2+-analogue of Brandtite)' | Ca2Fe2+(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.15 | Mawbyite | PbFe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.CG.15 | Thometzekite | PbCu2+2(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.15 | Yancowinnaite | PbCuAl(AsO4)2OH · H2O |
| 8.CG.15 | Schneebergite | BiCo2(AsO4)2(OH) · H2O |
| 8.CG.15 | Cabalzarite | CaMg2(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.15 | Nickelschneebergite | BiNi2(AsO4)2(OH) · H2O |
| 8.CG.15 | Lotharmeyerite | CaZn2(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.15 | Nickeltsumcorite | Pb(Ni,Fe3+)2(AsO4)2(H2O,OH)2 |
| 8.CG.15 | Magnesiofluckite | CaMg(AsO3OH)2(H2O)2 |
| 8.CG.15 | Krettnichite | PbMn3+2(VO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.CG.15 | Cobalttsumcorite | PbCo2(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.15 | Manganlotharmeyerite | CaMn3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.CG.15 | Tsumcorite | PbZn2(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.15 | Ferrilotharmeyerite | CaZnFe3+(AsO4)2(OH) · H2O |
| 8.CG.15 | Cobaltlotharmeyerite | CaCo2(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.15 | Mounanaite | PbFe3+2(VO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.CG.15 | Nickellotharmeyerite | CaNi2(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.20 | Lukrahnite | CaCuFe3+(AsO4)2(OH,H2O)2 |
| 8.CG.20 | Helmutwinklerite | PbZn2(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.20 | Phosphogartrellite | PbCuFe3+(PO4)2(OH,H2O)2 |
| 8.CG.20 | Gartrellite | PbCuFe3+(AsO4)2(OH) · H2O |
| 8.CG.20 | Zincgartrellite | PbZn2(AsO4)2(H2O,OH)2 |
| 8.CG.20 | Rappoldite | PbCo2(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.25 | Pottsite | (Pb3xBi4-2x)(VO4)4 · H2O (0.8 < x < 1.0) |
| 8.CG.25 | Armellinoite-(Ce) | Ca4Ce4+(AsO4)4 · H2O |
| 8.CG.35 | Nickeltalmessite | Ca2Ni(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.55 | Irhtemite | Ca4Mg(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 4H2O |
Fluorescence of Messelite
Not known to be fluorescent in UV.
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
In a closed tube, gives off water when heated and becomes dark brown to black.
Notes:
Easily soluble in HCl and HNO3.
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 Messelite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2658.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Messelite
Reference List:
Frondel, Clifford (1955) Neomesselite and beta-roselite: Two new members of the fairfieldite group. American Mineralogist, 40 (9-10) 828-833
Fleck, Michel, Kolitsch, U., Hertweck, B. (2002) Natural and synthetic compounds with kröhnkite-type chains: review and classification. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, 217 (9). 435-443 doi:10.1524/zkri.217.9.435.22883
Fleck, Michel, Kolitsch, U. (2003) Natural and synthetic compounds with kröhnkite-type chains. An update. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, 218 (8). 553-567 doi:10.1524/zkri.218.8.553.20689[includes crystal structure of natural messelite]
Localities for Messelite
Showing 54 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.
Austria | |
| Niedermayr et al. (1995) |
Brazil | |
| Cassedanne et al. (1982) |
| Cassedanne et al. (1981) |
| Baijot et al. (2012) |
Canada | |
| Robinson et al. (1992) |
| 150-152. +2 other references | |
| Robinson et al. (1992) |
| Collection of Eddy Vervloet |
| Collection of Eddy Vervloet | |
| Robinson et al. (1992) | |
Czech Republic | |
| Duda |
| Vrtiška et al. (2022) |
Europe | |
| Berbain et al. (2012) | |
Finland | |
| Analyzed at Natural History Museum Stockholm ( XRD) |
France | |
| Anthony et al. (2000) |
| Berbain et al. (2012) |
| Berbain et al. (2012) |
Germany | |
| web.archive.org (2001) |
| Aufschluss 1980 (6) +3 other references |
| Aufschluss 1980 (6) +2 other references |
Italy | |
| VIGNOLA et al. (2007) |
Japan | |
| Matsubara et al. (1980) |
| Specimen on sale at Tokyo International ... |
Morocco | |
| FRANSOLET (1974) |
Norway | |
| Kristiansen (2017) |
Russia | |
| Liferovich et al. (2001) |
| Lykova I. S. et al. (2017) |
Spain | |
| Errandonea-Martin et al. (2022) |
| Roda-Robles et al. (2010) |
| Mineralogistes de Catalunya (1997) |
| Rosell (2014) | |
| Petrov (n.d.) +2 other references | |
| Roza Llera +3 other references |
Sweden | |
| |
Switzerland | |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
Ukraine | |
| Shnykov E.F. at al. (1971) |
USA | |
| Schooner (1961) |
| King et al. (1994) +1 other reference |
| SEM-EDS |
| Tim Blake |
| |
| P. Cristofono et al. (2011) |
| Kreinik (2022) |
| USGS Prof Paper 353 +4 other references | |
| Journal of Pegmatology vol. 1 +2 other references | |
| Hanahan (1985) +1 other reference |
| Smithsonian Institution Mineral ... |
| Campbell et al. (1985) |
| Anthony et al. (2000) |
| Campbell et al. (1985) |
| Smith et al. (2000) | |
| Smith et al. (2000) |
| Smith et al. (2000) | |
| Liferovich et al. (1998) |
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Foote Lithium Co. Mine, Kings Mountain, Cleveland County, North Carolina, USA