Newberyite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Newberyite
James C. Newbery
Formula:
Mg(PO3OH) · 3H2O
Colour:
Light gray to white or colorless, pale brown
Lustre:
Dull
Hardness:
3 - 3½
Specific Gravity:
2.10 - 2.11
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named by Gustav vom Rath in 1879 in honor of James Cosmo Newbery [June 28, 1843 Leghorn (Livorno), Italy - May 1,1895 East St. Kilda, Victoria, Australia] of Melbourne, Australia who discovered the mineral. Newbery was an assistant to Josiah Cooke at Harvard University, where he graduated in 1864. In Australia, he was curator at the Industrial and Technological Museum and later was a chemical analyst at the Mines Department. He was also a consulting chemist and was influential in the eventual establishing of food safety laws in Australia.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2887
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2887:1
IMA Classification of Newberyite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Mg(PO3OH)(H2O)3
First published:
1879
Classification of Newberyite
8.CE.10
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
E : With only medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O about 1:2.5
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
E : With only medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O about 1:2.5
39.1.6.1
39 : HYDRATED ACID PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
1 : A[HXO4]·xH2O
39 : HYDRATED ACID PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
1 : A[HXO4]·xH2O
19.3.17
19 : Phosphates
3 : Phosphates of Be and Mg
19 : Phosphates
3 : Phosphates of Be and Mg
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 |
|---|---|---|
| New | 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 Newberyite
Dull
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Light gray to white or colorless, pale brown
Comment:
Colorless in transmitted light.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3 - 3½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {010}, perfect; on {001}, poor.
On {010}, perfect; on {001}, poor.
Fracture:
Hackly
Density:
2.10 - 2.11 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.12 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Measured value on Mejillones material; 2.123 (artificial material).
Optical Data of Newberyite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.514 nβ = 1.518 nγ = 1.533
2V:
Measured: 45° , Calculated: 48°
Birefringence:
0.019
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.019
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:
Low (negative)
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 weak, r < v, perceptible.
Optical Extinction:
X = a; Y = b; Z = c.
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Newberyite
Mindat Formula:
Mg(PO3OH) · 3H2O
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Newberyite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pbca
Setting:
Pbca
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.203 Å, b = 10.685 Å, c = 10.018 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.955 : 1 : 0.938
Unit Cell V:
1,092.15 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
16
Morphology:
Crystals equi-dimentional, short prismatic [001]; commonly thin tabular {100}; also tabular on {010} or dipyramidal {111} (in artificial crystals).
Comment:
TMPM 32:187 (1983) structure
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0015697 | Newberyite | Bartl H, Catti M, Joswig W, Ferraris G (1983) Investigation of the crystal structure of newberyite, MgHPO4*3H2O, by single crystal neutron diffraction Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen 32 187-194 | 1983 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0009313 | Newberyite | Sutor D J (1967) The crystal and molecular structure of newberyite, MgHPO4*3H2O Acta Crystallographica 23 418-422 |  | 1967 | Skipton Caves, Victoria, Australia | 0 | 293 |
| 0009693 | Newberyite | Abbona F, Boistelle R, Haser R (1979) Hydrogen bonding in MgHPO4*3H2O (newberyite) Acta Crystallographica B35 2514-2518 | | 1979 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Loading XRD data...
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 5.95 Å | (50) |
| 4.71 Å | (50) |
| 4.50 Å | (40) |
| 4.15 Å | (30) |
| 3.46 Å | (70) |
| 3.09 Å | (50) |
| 3.04 Å | (100) |
| 2.58 Å | (30) |
Comments:
ICDD 35-780 (synthetic); also 19-762, 20-153.
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] | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 49 : Oxic cellular biomineralization (see also #44) | <0.54 |
| 50 : Coal and/or oil shale minerals | <0.36 |
| 52 : Guano- and urine-derived minerals | <0.4 |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 54 : Coal and other mine fire minerals (see also #51 and #56) |
Geological Setting:
Bat guano deposits.
Type Occurrence of Newberyite
General Appearance of Type Material:
1 inch (2.2 cm) square crystals in guano.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Muséum Nationale d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France, number 99.504.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Bat guano cave deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Newberyite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 7 photos of Newberyite associated with Struvite | (NH4)Mg(PO4) · 6H2O |
| 3 photos of Newberyite associated with 'Collophane' | Ca5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH) |
| 1 photo of Newberyite associated with Brushite | Ca(PO3OH) · 2H2O |
| 1 photo of Newberyite associated with Niahite | (NH4)Mn2+(PO4) · H2O |
| 1 photo of Newberyite associated with Sussexite | Mn2+BO2(OH) |
| 1 photo of Newberyite associated with Pyrochroite | Mn(OH)2 |
| 1 photo of Newberyite associated with Monetite | Ca(PO3OH) |
| 1 photo of Newberyite associated with Hannayite | (NH4)2Mg3H4(PO4)4 · 8H2O |
| 1 photo of Newberyite associated with Vivianite | Fe2+Fe2+2(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.CE. | Monteneroite | Cu2+Mn2+2(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE. | Belmonteite | CaMn2(AsO4)2 · 7H2O |
| 8.CE. | Zincocabrerite | ZnMg2(AsO4)2(H2O)8 |
| 8.CE.X | Babánekite | Cu3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.05 | Chudobaite | Mg5(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)2 · 10H2O |
| 8.CE.05 | Geigerite | Mn2+5(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 10H2O |
| 8.CE.10 | Manganonewberyite | Mn(PO3OH)(H2O)3 |
| 8.CE.15 | Fanguangite | (MoO2)(PO3OH) · 4H2O |
| 8.CE.15 | Brassite | Mg(HAsO4) · 4H2O |
| 8.CE.20 | Phosphorrösslerite | Mg(PO3OH) · 7H2O |
| 8.CE.20 | Rösslerite | Mg(HAsO4) · 7H2O |
| 8.CE.25 | Switzerite | Mn2+3(PO4)2 · 7H2O |
| 8.CE.25 | Metaswitzerite | Mn2+3(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CE.30 | Pradetite | CoCu4(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 9H2O |
| 8.CE.30 | Veselovskýite | ZnCu4(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 9H2O |
| 8.CE.30 | Lindackerite | CuCu4(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 9H2O |
| 8.CE.30 | Klajite | MnCu4(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 9-10H2O |
| 8.CE.30 | Hloušekite | (Ni,Co)Cu4(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)2 · 9H2O |
| 8.CE.30 | Ondrušite | CaCu4(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 10H2O |
| 8.CE.35 | Bobierrite | Mg3(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Barićite | (Mg,Fe)3(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Parasymplesite | Fe2+3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Gritsenkoite | CoMg2(AsO4)2(H2O)8 |
| 8.CE.40 | Cabrerite | NiMg2(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Pakhomovskyite | Co3(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Vivianite | Fe2+Fe2+2(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Arupite | Ni3(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Erythrite | Co3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Hörnesite | Mg3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Manganohörnesite | Mn2+3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Köttigite | Zn3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Ferrisymplesite | Fe3+3(AsO4)2(OH)3 · 5H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Annabergite | Ni3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.45 | Symplesite | Fe2+3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.50 | Cattiite | Mg3(PO4)2 · 22H2O |
| 8.CE.55 | Koninckite | Fe3+PO4 · 3H2O |
| 8.CE.60 | Kaňkite | FeAsO4 · 3.5H2O |
| 8.CE.60 | Hilarionite | Fe3+2(SO4)(AsO4)(OH) · 6H2O |
| 8.CE.65 | Steigerite | Al(VO4) · 3H2O |
| 8.CE.70 | Metaschoderite | Al2(PO4)(VO4) · 6H2O |
| 8.CE.70 | Schoderite | Al2(PO4)(VO4) · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.75 | Zigrasite | MgZr(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CE.75 | 'UM2009-11-PO:CaHZr' | CaZr[PO4]2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CE.75 | Malhmoodite | FeZr(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CE.80 | Santabarbaraite | Fe3+3(PO4)2(OH)3 · 5H2O |
| 8.CE.85 | Metaköttigite | (Zn,Fe,Fe)3(AsO4)2 · 8(H2O,OH) |
| 8.CE.90 | Slavkovite | Cu13(AsO4)6(AsO3OH)4 · 23H2O |
Fluorescence of Newberyite
Not fluorescent.
Other Information
Notes:
Very slightly soluble in cold water. Readily soluble in dilute HCl.
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 Newberyite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2887.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Newberyite
Reference List:
Larsen, Esper S. (1921) The microscopic determination of the nonopaque minerals. Bulletin 679. US Geological Survey doi:10.3133/b679 p.115
Cohen, Lewis H., Ribbe, Paul H. (1966) Magnesium phosphate mineral replacement at Mono Lake, California. American Mineralogist, 51 (11-12) 1755-1765
Sutor, D. J. (1967) The crystal and molecular structure of newberyite, MgHPO4.3H2O. Acta Crystallographica, 23 (3) 418-422 doi:10.1107/s0365110x67002889
Durif-Varambon, André (1971) MnHPO4 • 3H2O un isotype de la newberyite. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 94 (5). 556-557 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1971.6624
Abbona, F.; Boistelle, R.; Haser, R. (1979) Hydrogen bonding in MgHPO4.3H2O (newberyite). Acta Crystallographica Section B Structural Crystallography and Crystal Chemistry, 35 (11). 2514-2518 doi:10.1107/s0567740879009791
Boistelle, R.; Abbona, F. (1981) Morphology, habit and growth of newberyite crystals (MgHPO4·3 H2O). Journal of Crystal Growth, 54 (2). 275-295 doi:10.1016/0022-0248(81)90472-3
Abbona, F., Lundager Madsen, H.E., Boistelle, R. (1982) Crystallization of two magnesium phosphates, struvite and newberyite: Effect of pH and concentration. Journal of Crystal Growth, 57 (1). 6-14 doi:10.1016/0022-0248(82)90242-1
Bartl, H.; Catti, M.; Joswig, W.; Ferraris, G. (1983) Investigation of the crystal structure of newberyite, MgHPO4·3H2O, by single crystal neutron diffraction. TMPM Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen, 32 (2-3). 187-194 doi:10.1007/bf01081109
Frost, Ray L., Weier, Matt L., Martens, Wayde N., Henry, Dermot A., Mills, Stuart J. (2005) Raman spectroscopy of newberyite, hannayite and struvite. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 62 (1) 181-188 doi:10.1016/j.saa.2004.12.024
Localities for Newberyite
Showing 33 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.
Antarctica | |
| sold by B. Quaritch [and others]. +1 other reference |
Australia (TL) | |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
| |
| Simpson Mineral Collection of the ... |
| Frost et al. (2011) |
| Bridge (1977) |
Austria | |
| Auer (1995) |
| Laskovic et al. (1967) |
Brazil | |
| Piló et al. (2023) |
Canada | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Traill (1983) +1 other reference |
Chile | |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| XRD by Joachim Lorenz | |
| samples analysed by Gerhard Mohn and ... |
France | |
| Palache et al. (1951) | |
Germany | |
| Blaß et al. (1995) |
Italy | |
| Audra et al. (2019) |
Kenya | |
| Forti et al. (2004) |
Malaysia | |
| Bridge et al. (1983) |
Poland | |
| Kruszewski (2012) |
Russia | |
| Pavel M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
| Shen et al. (2021) |
| Vertushkov G.N. (1955) |
Saint Helena， Ascension and Tristan da Cunha | |
| Richards (1928) +2 other references | |
Slovakia | |
| Ďuďa R. et al. (1993) |
South Africa | |
| Martini et al. (1978) |
| Martini (1997) |
| Martini et al. (1978) |
USA | |
| Kampf et al. (2025) |
| Cohen et al. (1966) +4 other references |
| Bortolozzi (n.d.) |
| Dunn (1995) |
Quick NavTopAbout NewberyiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence Other LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Skipton Caves, Mount Widderin, Skipton, Corangamite Shire, Victoria, Australia