Parafransoletite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Parafransoletite
Formula:
Ca3Be2(PO4)2(PO3OH)2 · 4H2O
Colour:
Colorless, white
Lustre:
Vitreous, Silky
Hardness:
2½
Specific Gravity:
2.54
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
Named for its dimorphous relationship with fransoletite.
This page provides mineralogical data about Parafransoletite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3089
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3089:8
IMA Classification of Parafransoletite
Classification of Parafransoletite
8.CA.05
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
A : With small and large/medium cations
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
A : With small and large/medium cations
Dana 7th ed.:
40.5.2.1
40.5.2.1
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
5 : AXO4·xH2O
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
5 : AXO4·xH2O
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Pfsl | 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 Parafransoletite
Vitreous, Silky
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Colorless, white
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Comment:
'Even' fracture.
Density:
2.54(1) g/cm3 (Measured) 2.27 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Parafransoletite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.562 nβ = 1.564 nγ = 1.588
2V:
Measured: 33° , Calculated: 34°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 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:
Moderate
Dispersion:
strong
Optical Extinction:
θ = 85°; ψ = –13°; φ = 98°.
Chemistry of Parafransoletite
Mindat Formula:
Ca3Be2(PO4)2(PO3OH)2 · 4H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Parafransoletite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.32 Å, b = 7.69 Å, c = 7.06 Å
α = 94.9°, β = 96.82°, γ = 101.86°
α = 94.9°, β = 96.82°, γ = 101.86°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.952 : 1 : 0.918
Unit Cell V:
385.48 ų
Z:
1
Morphology:
Thin individual spear-shaped blades, sheaf- and bowtie-like aggregates, and compact radial sprays. Similar to collinsite in appearance and notably distinct from fransoletite. Most crystals are composite with slightly rounded faces tapering to a pointed termination. Individual crystals are flattened on {010} and elongate parallel to [100]. Forms include {010}, {011}, {131}, {131}, and {144}. Doubly terminated crystals are common and seemingly exhibit centrosymmetric development of crystal forms.
Twinning:
Simple contact twinning on {010} is common.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0001532 | Parafransoletite | Kampf A R (1992) Beryllophosphate chains in the structures of fransoletite, parafransoletite, and ehrleite and some general comments on beryllophosphate linkages American Mineralogist 77 848-856 |  | 1992 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.032 Å | (100) |
| 3.619 Å | (80) |
| 2.595 Å | (60) |
| 7.52 Å | (50) |
| 2.334 Å | (40) |
| 2.485 Å | (25) |
| 1.870 Å | (25) |
Comments:
Tip Top mine, South Dakota, USA. The data are from the type description.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 22 : Hydration and low-? subsurface aqueous alteration (see also #23) |
Type Occurrence of Parafransoletite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Thin individual spear-shaped blades up to 0.4 x 0.1 x 0.04 mm, as sheaf- and bowtie-like aggregates, and as compact radial sprays to 2 mm in diameter. It is similar to collinsite in appearance and notably distinct from fransoletite.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Natural History Museum, Los Angeles, California, USA, number 35696.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, number 168432.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, number 168432.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Granite pegmatite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Parafransoletite
Other Language Names for Parafransoletite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 1 photo of Parafransoletite associated with Montgomeryite | Ca4MgAl4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 12H2O |
| 1 photo of Parafransoletite associated with Robertsite | Ca2Mn3+3(PO4)3O2 · 3H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.CA. | Apexite | NaMg(PO4) · 9H2O |
| 8.CA. | Brandãoite | BeAl2(PO4)2(OH)2(H2O)5 |
| 8.CA. | Davidlloydite | Zn3(AsO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CA.05 | Fransoletite | Ca3Be2(PO4)2(PO3OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CA.10 | Ehrleite | Ca4Be3Zn2(PO4)6 · 9H2O |
| 8.CA.15 | Faheyite | Be2Mn2+Fe3+2(PO4)4 · 6H2O |
| 8.CA.20 | Mccrillisite | NaCs(Be,Li)Zr2(PO4)4 · 1-2H2O |
| 8.CA.20 | Gainesite | Na(Na,K)(Be,Li)Zr2(PO4)4 · 1.5-2H2O |
| 8.CA.20 | Selwynite | NaK(Be,Al)Zr2(PO4)4 · 2H2O |
| 8.CA.25 | Pahasapaite | Li8(Ca,Li,K)10.5Be24(PO4)24 · 38H2O |
| 8.CA.30 | Nizamoffite | Mn2+Zn2(PO4)2(H2O)4 |
| 8.CA.30 | Arsenohopeite | Zn3(AsO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CA.30 | Hopeite | ZnZn2(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CA.35 | Warikahnite | Zn3(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CA.40 | Phosphophyllite | Zn2Fe 2+(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CA.42 | Steinmetzite | Zn2Fe3+(PO4)2(OH) · 3H2O |
| 8.CA.45 | Parascholzite | CaZn2(PO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CA.45 | Scholzite | CaZn2(PO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CA.50 | Keyite | Cu2+3Zn4Cd2(AsO4)6 · 2H2O |
| 8.CA.55 | Pushcharovskite | K0.6Cu18[AsO2(OH)2]4[AsO3OH]10(AsO4)(OH)9.6 · 18.6H2O |
| 8.CA.60 | Prosperite | Ca2Zn4(AsO4)4 · H2O |
| 8.CA.65 | Gengenbachite | KFe3+3(PO3OH)4[PO2(OH)2]2 · 6H2O |
| 8.CA.70 | Parahopeite | Zn3(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CA.70 | Reaphookhillite | MgZn2(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CA.75 | Stergiouite | CaZn2(AsO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CA.80 | Limousinite | BaCa[Be4P4O16] · 6H2O |
| 8.CA.85 | Minjiangite | BaBe2(PO4)2 |
| 8.CA.85 | Wilancookite | (Ba5Li2◻)Ba6Be24P24O96 · 26H2O |
Fluorescence of Parafransoletite
Not fluorescent.
Other Information
Notes:
Dissolves readily in cold 1:1 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 Parafransoletite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3089.html
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References for Parafransoletite
Reference List:
Kampf, Anthony R., Dunn, Pete J., Foord, Eugene E. (1992) Parafransoletite, a new dimorph of fransoletite from the Tip Top Pegmatite, Custer, South Dakota. American Mineralogist, 77 (7-8) 843-847
Localities for Parafransoletite
Showing 1 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) | |
| Kampf et al. (1992) |
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Tip Top Mine, Fourmile, Custer Mining District, Custer County, South Dakota, USA