Skorpionite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Skorpionite
Formula:
Ca3Zn2(PO4)2(CO3)(OH)2 · H2O
Colour:
colourless
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3½
Specific Gravity:
3.15
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
For the type locality at the Skorpion Mine, Rosh Pinah, Lüderitz District, Karas Region, Namibia.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
27395
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:27395:8
IMA Classification of Skorpionite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Ca3Zn2+2(PO4)2CO3(OH)2·H2O
Approval year:
2005
First published:
2008
Classification of Skorpionite
8.DO.45
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
O : With CO3, SO4, SiO4
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
O : With CO3, SO4, SiO4
43.5.20.
43 : COMPOUND PHOSPHATES, ETC.
5 : Hydrated Compound Phosphates, etc·, Containing Hydroxyl or Halogen
43 : COMPOUND PHOSPHATES, ETC.
5 : Hydrated Compound Phosphates, etc·, Containing Hydroxyl or Halogen
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Skr | 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 Skorpionite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3½ on Mohs scale
Hardness Data:
Measured
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
3.15(3) g/cm3 (Measured) 3.17 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Skorpionite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.5884(10) nβ = 1.6445 nγ = 1.6455(10)
2V:
Measured: 15.0° (5)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.057
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.
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.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
None
Optical Extinction:
Y^c = 26◦ (in the acute angle β); Z = b.
Chemistry of Skorpionite
Mindat Formula:
Ca3Zn2(PO4)2(CO3)(OH)2 · H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Skorpionite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/b
Cell Parameters:
a = 19.042(2) Å, b = 9.309(1) Å, c = 6.519(1) Å
β = 92.72(1)°
β = 92.72(1)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 2.046 : 1 : 0.7
Unit Cell V:
1154.3 ų
Z:
4
Morphology:
Bladed, sword-shaped.
Type material: crystals are elongated parallel to [001] with dominant {100} and {110}; additional forms are {111}, {221}, {131} and {101}.
Type material: crystals are elongated parallel to [001] with dominant {100} and {110}; additional forms are {111}, {221}, {131} and {101}.
Twinning:
None observed
Comment:
refined from X-ray powder data
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0007259 | Skorpionite | Krause W, Effenberger H, Bernhardt H-J, Medenbach O (2008) Skorpionite, Ca3Zn2(PO4)2CO3(OH)2*H2O, a new mineral from Namibia: description and crystal structure European Journal of Mineralogy 20 271-280 | 2008 | near Rosh Pinah mine, Luderitz district, Karas region, Namibia, Africa | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.170 Å | (100) |
| 2.788 Å | (67) |
| 3.014 Å | (54) |
| 9.501 Å | (53) |
| 3.063 Å | (42) |
| 5.238 Å | (30) |
| 2.582 Å | (21) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] |
Type Occurrence of Skorpionite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Colourless needle-like crystals elongated parallel to [001].
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mineralogical Institute, University of Bochum, Germany
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Non-sulphide, zinc deposit formed by supergene oxidation.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Skorpionite
Other Language Names for Skorpionite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 41 photos of Skorpionite associated with Tarbuttite | Zn2(PO4)(OH) |
| 6 photos of Skorpionite associated with Hemimorphite | Zn4Si2O7(OH)2 · H2O |
| 4 photos of Skorpionite associated with Hydrozincite | Zn5(CO3)2(OH)6 |
| 3 photos of Skorpionite associated with Stolzite | Pb(WO4) |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.DO. | Whiterockite | CaMgMn3+3O2(PO4)2(CO3)F · 5H2O |
| 8.DO.05 | Girvasite | NaCa2Mg3(PO4)3(CO3)(H2O)6 |
| 8.DO.10 | Voggite | Na2Zr(PO4)(CO3)(OH) · 2H2O |
| 8.DO.15 | Peisleyite | Na2Al9[(P,S)O4]8(OH)6 · 28H2O |
| 8.DO.20 | Perhamite | Ca3Al7.7Si3P4O23.5(OH)14.1 · 8H2O |
| 8.DO.20 | Krásnoite | Ca3Al7.7Si3P4O23.5(OH)12.1F2 · 8H2O |
| 8.DO.25 | Saryarkite-(Y) | Ca(Y,Th)Al5(SiO4)2(PO4,SO4)2(OH)7 · 6H2O |
| 8.DO.30 | Micheelsenite | (Ca2Y)Al(PO3OH)(CO3)(OH)6 · 12H2O |
| 8.DO.40 | Parwanite | (Na,K)(Mg,Ca)4Al8(PO4)8(CO3)(OH)7 · 30H2O |
| 8.DO.50 | Jörgkellerite | (Na,◻)3Mn3+3(PO4)2(CO3)(O,OH)2 · 5H2O |
| 8.DO.55 | Juansilvaite | Na5Al3[AsO3(OH)]4[AsO2(OH)2]2(SO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.DO.60 | Vanderheydenite | Zn6(PO4)2(SO4)(OH)4 · 7H2O |
Fluorescence of Skorpionite
Not fluorescent
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 Skorpionite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-27395.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Skorpionite
Reference List:
Borg, G., Karner, K., Buxton, M., Armstrong, R., Merwe, S. W. v. d. (2003) Geology of the Skorpion Supergene Zinc Deposit, Southern Namibia. Economic Geology, 98 (4) 749-771 doi:10.2113/gsecongeo.98.4.749
Krause, Werner, Effenberger, Herta, Bernhardt, Heinz-Jürgen, Medenbach, Olaf (2008) Skorpionite, Ca3Zn2(PO4)2CO3(OH)2H2O, a new mineral from Namibia: description and crystal structure. European Journal of Mineralogy, 20 (2) 271-280 doi:10.1127/0935-1221/2008/0020-1789
Poirier, G., Ercit, T. S., Tait, K. T., Piilonen, P. C., Rowe, R. (2009) New Mineral Names. American Mineralogist, 94 (2) 399-408 doi:10.2138/am.2009.538
TOBASE, Tsubasa, YOSHIASA, Akira, JINNOUCHI, Satoshi, KITAHARA, Ginga, HONGU, Hidetomo, TOKUDA, Makoto, OKUBE, Maki, SUGIYAMA, Kazumasa (2019) Crystal structure, large distortion of the Zn tetrahedron, and statistical displacement of water molecules in skorpionite. Journal of Mineralogical and Petrological Sciences, 114 (4) 178-188 doi:10.2465/jmps.180801
Localities for Skorpionite
Showing 2 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.
Namibia | |
| von Bezing et al. (2016) +1 other reference |
| Borg et al. (2003) +2 other references |
Quick NavTopAbout SkorpioniteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Skorpion Mine, Rosh Pinah, Oranjemund Constituency, ǁKaras Region, Namibia