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Nissonite

A valid IMA mineral species
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02781740017271925411992.jpg
Nissonite

Boss Mine, Goodsprings Mining District, Spring Mountains, Clark County, Nevada, USA
07776120017271925448755.jpg
Nissonite

Boss Mine, Goodsprings Mining District, Spring Mountains, Clark County, Nevada, USA
09758480017271925474074.jpg
Nissonite

Iron Monarch Main Pit, Iron Knob, Pastoral Unincorporated Area, South Australia, Australia
02781740017271925411992.jpg
Nissonite

Boss Mine, Goodsprings Mining District, Spring Mountains, Clark County, Nevada, USA
07776120017271925448755.jpg
Nissonite

Boss Mine, Goodsprings Mining District, Spring Mountains, Clark County, Nevada, USA
09758480017271925474074.jpg
Nissonite

Iron Monarch Main Pit, Iron Knob, Pastoral Unincorporated Area, South Australia, Australia
02781740017271925411992.jpg
Nissonite

Boss Mine, Goodsprings Mining District, Spring Mountains, Clark County, Nevada, USA
07776120017271925448755.jpg
Nissonite

Boss Mine, Goodsprings Mining District, Spring Mountains, Clark County, Nevada, USA
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About NissoniteHide

Formula:
Cu2Mg2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 5H2O
Colour:
Bluish green to deep blue, turquoise-blue
Hardness:
2½
Specific Gravity:
2.73
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named for William H. Nisson (1912–1965), amateur mineralogist, mineral collector and dealer, of Petaluma, California, USA, who first noted the mineral.
This page provides mineralogical data about Nissonite.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
2915
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2915:1

Similar NamesHide

NasiniteA valid IMA mineral speciesNa2[B5O8(OH)] · 2H2O
NasoniteA valid IMA mineral species - grandfatheredPb6Ca4(Si2O7)3Cl2
NisniteA valid IMA mineral speciesNi3Sn
NoseaniteA rock classification type

IMA Classification of NissoniteHide

Classification of NissoniteHide

Strunz-mindat (2026):
8.DC.05

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
C : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 = 1:1 and < 2:1
Dana 8th ed.:
42.7.5.1

42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
7 : (AB)2(XO4)Zq·xH2O
Hey's CIM Ref.:
19.2.6

19 : Phosphates
2 : Phosphates of Cu

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference for Standard
NssIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Pronunciation of NissoniteHide

Pronunciation:
PlayRecorded byCountry
Jolyon RalphUnited Kingdom

Physical Properties of NissoniteHide

Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Bluish green to deep blue, turquoise-blue
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Imperfect/Fair
{100}, fair.
Density:
2.73(1) g/cm3 (Measured)    2.782 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of NissoniteHide

Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.584(2) nβ = 1.620(2) nγ = 1.621(2)
2V:
Measured: 19° , Calculated: 18°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.037
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.

Surface Relief:
High (positive)
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.
Dispersion:
small
Optical Extinction:
Z = b; X ∧ a = 15°; Y ∧ c = 6°.
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
X = colorless; Y = Z = turquoise-blue.

Chemistry of NissoniteHide

Mindat Formula:
Cu2Mg2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 5H2O
Element Weights:
Element% weight
O49.004 %
Cu25.951 %
P12.649 %
Mg9.926 %
H2.470 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
O
Cu
P
Mg
H
Elements listed:
Cu, H, Mg, O, P - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of NissoniteHide

Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/b
Setting:
C2/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 22.523(5) Å, b = 5.015(2) Å, c = 10.506(3) Å
β = 99.62(2)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 4.491 : 1 : 2.095
Unit Cell V:
1,170.00 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Aggregates and crusts. Rare crystals are tabular on {100}, elongated along [001], and diamond-shaped. Forms include {001}, {100}, {111}.

Crystal StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0001329NissoniteGroat L A, Hawthorne F C (1990) The crystal structure of nissonite American Mineralogist 75 1170-117519900293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
10.8 Å(100)
4.36 Å(70)
3.72 Å(55)
2.768 Å(100)
2.679 Å(60)
2.531 Å(55)
2.218 Å(65)

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event<2.4
47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals]
47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates]

Type Occurrence of NissoniteHide

Type Locality:
ⓘ Llanada Copper Mine, Panoche, San Benito County, California, USA
General Appearance of Type Material:
Diamond shaped crystals and thin crusts.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No defined type material.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
In metamorphic rocks of the Franciscan Formation.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
AzuriteBaryteCalciteChrysocolla'Crossite'
CupriteGypsumMalachiteRiebeckiteTurquoise
Reference:
Mrose, M.E., R. Meyrowitz, J.T. Alfors & C.W. Chesterman (1966), Nissonite, CMg(PO4)(OH)•2½H2O, a new hydrous copper-magnesium-phosphate mineral from Panoche Valley, California: Geological Society of America Abstracts, 1966: 145-146.

Synonyms of NissoniteHide

Other Language Names for NissoniteHide

Dutch:Nissoniet
German:Nissonit
Spanish:Nissonita

Relationship of Nissonite to other SpeciesHide

Structurally related to group(s):
Spiroffite GroupM2Te4+3O8

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
2 photos of Nissonite associated with ChrysocollaCu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1
1 photo of Nissonite associated with CollinsiteCa2Mg(PO4)2 · 2H2O
1 photo of Nissonite associated with MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2
1 photo of Nissonite associated with Glaucophane◻Na2(Mg3Al2)Si8O22(OH)2
1 photo of Nissonite associated with Riebeckite◻Na2(Fe2+3Fe3+2)Si8O22(OH)2
1 photo of Nissonite associated with PhosphohedyphaneCa2Pb3(PO4)3Cl

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

8.DC.FerroberauniteFe2+Fe3+5(PO4)4(OH)5 · 6H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
8.DC.CésarferreiraiteFe2+ Fe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.FerrivauxiteFe3+Al2(PO4)2(OH)3 · 5H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.IanbruceiteZn2(AsO4)(OH) · 3H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DC.07EuchroiteCu2(AsO4)(OH) · 3H2OOrth. 222 : P212121
8.DC.10LegranditeZn2(AsO4)(OH) · H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DC.12StrashimiriteCu8(AsO4)4(OH)4 · 5H2OMon.
8.DC.15EarlshannoniteMn2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DC.15KunatiteCuFe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DC.15'UM2006-27-PO:FeHZn'ZnFe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OMon.
8.DC.15'UKI-2006-(PO:AlCuFeH)'Fe2+Al3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2O
8.DC.15CobaltarthuriteCoFe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DC.15ArthuriteCuFe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DC.15OjuelaiteZnFe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DC.15WhitmoreiteFe2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DC.15BendadaiteFe2+Fe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DC.17KleemaniteZnAl2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 3H2OMon.
8.DC.20MagnesiobermaniteMgMn3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OMon. 2 : P21
8.DC.20BermaniteMn2+Mn3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DC.20CoralloiteMn2+Mn3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.22KovdorskiteMg2(PO4)(OH) · 3H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DC.25ZincostrunziteZnFe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 6.5H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.25MetavauxiteFe2+Al2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DC.25MetavivianiteFe2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 6H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.25FerristrunziteFe3+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)3 · 5H2OTric.
8.DC.25StrunziteMn2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 6H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.25FerrostrunziteFe2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 6H2OTric.
8.DC.27BerauniteFe3+6(PO4)4O(OH)4 · 6H2OMon. m : Bb
8.DC.27TvrdýiteFe2+Fe3+2Al3(PO4)4(OH)5(H2O)4 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
8.DC.27ZincoberauniteZnFe3+5(PO4)4(OH)5 · 6H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
8.DC.30MaghrebiteMgAl2(AsO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30FerrolaueiteFe2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30UshkoviteMgFe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30LaueiteMn2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30ParavauxiteFe2+Al2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30SigloiteFe3+Al2(PO4)2(OH)3 · 7H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30NordgauiteMnAl2(PO4)2(F,OH)2 · 5H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30Kayrobertsonite[MnAl2(PO4)2(OH)2(H2O)4] · 2H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30KummeriteMn2+Fe3+Al(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30MangangordoniteMn2+Al2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30StewartiteMn2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30GordoniteMgAl2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30Kastningite(Mn2+,Fe2+,Mg)Al2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.30PseudolaueiteMn2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DC.32KamarizaiteFe3+3(AsO4)2(OH)3 · 3H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.32TinticiteFe3+3(PO4)2(OH)3 · 3H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.35VauxiteFe2+Al2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 6H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.37VantasseliteAl4(PO4)3(OH)3 · 9H2OOrth.
8.DC.40CacoxeniteFe3+24AlO6(PO4)17(OH)12 · 75H2OHex. 6/m : P63/m
8.DC.45SouzaliteMg3Al4(PO4)4(OH)6 · 2H2OTric. 1
8.DC.45Gormanite(Fe2+,Mg)3(Al,Fe3+)4(PO4)4(OH)6 · 2H2OTric.
8.DC.47KingiteAl3(PO4)2F2(OH) · 7H2OTric.
8.DC.50AllanpringiteFe3+3(PO4)2(OH)3 · 5H2OMon. 2/m : P21/m
8.DC.50FluorwavelliteAl3(PO4)2(OH)2F · 5H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
8.DC.50WavelliteAl3(PO4)2(OH)3 · 5H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
8.DC.52KribergiteAl5(PO4)3(SO4)(OH)4 · 4H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DC.55MapimiteZn2Fe3+3(AsO4)3(OH)4 · 10H2OMon. m : Bm
8.DC.57OgdensburgiteCa2Fe3+4(Zn,Mn2+)(AsO4)4(OH)6 · 6H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Cmmm
8.DC.60CloncurryiteCu0.5(VO)0.5Al2(PO4)2F2 · 5H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DC.60Nevadaite(Cu2+,Al,V3+)6Al8(PO4)8F8(OH)2 · 22H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
8.DC.62KenngottiteMn2+3Fe3+4(PO4)4(OH)6(H2O)2 Mon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DC.67MolinelloiteCu(H2O)(OH)V4+O(V5+O4)Tric. 1 : P1
8.DC.70WhitecapsiteH16Fe2+5Fe3+14Sb3+6(AsO4)18O16 · 120H2OHex. 6/m : P63/m
8.DC.75HeimitePbCu2(AsO4)(OH)3 · 2H2OMon. 2/m
8.DC.80LedneviteCu[PO3(OH)] · H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b

Other InformationHide

Notes:
Easily soluble in acids.
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 NissoniteHide

References for NissoniteHide

Localities for NissoniteHide

Showing 5 localities.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
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Locality ListHide

- 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). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia
 
  • Queensland
    • City of Mount Isa
      • Gunpowder District
        • Mount Gordon
Robinson (1993)
  • South Australia
    • Pastoral Unincorporated Area
      • Iron Knob
Pring et al. (1992)
Brazil
 
  • Pará
    • Canaã dos Carajás
      • Serra Sul complex
        • S11D deposit
SALLUN FILHO (orgs.) +1 other reference
USA (TL)
 
  • California
    • San Benito County
      • Panoche
Hey +1 other reference
  • Nevada
    • Clark County
      • Spring Mountains
        • Goodsprings Mining District
Castor et al. (2004)
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