Phosphoferrite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Phosphoferrite
Formula:
(Fe2+,Mn2+)3(PO4)2 · 3H2O
Colour:
Colourless, pale green, reddish brown (altered); colourless to faintly tinted green in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Vitreous, Resinous
Hardness:
3 - 3½
Specific Gravity:
3 - 3.2
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
In allusion to the composition, containing PHOSPHOrus and iron (Latin = FERRum).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3199
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3199:4
IMA Classification of Phosphoferrite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Fe2+3(PO4)2(H2O)3
Classification of Phosphoferrite
8.CC.05
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
C : With only medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O = 1:1.5
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
C : With only medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O = 1:1.5
40.3.2.1
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
3 : A3(XO4)2·xH2O
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
3 : A3(XO4)2·xH2O
19.12.19
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.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Phf | 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 Phosphoferrite
Vitreous, Resinous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Comment:
Lustre ranges to sub-resinous from vitreous.
Colour:
Colourless, pale green, reddish brown (altered); colourless to faintly tinted green in transmitted light.
Hardness:
3 - 3½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Poor/Indistinct
On {010}, poor.
On {010}, poor.
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
3 - 3.2 g/cm3 (Measured)
Optical Data of Phosphoferrite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.663 - 1.672 nβ = 1.674 - 1.680 nγ = 1.699 - 1.700
2V:
Measured: 68° , Calculated: 66°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.028 - 0.036
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:
r > v strong
Optical Extinction:
Parallel. X = a; Y = b; Z = c.
Chemistry of Phosphoferrite
Mindat Formula:
(Fe2+,Mn2+)3(PO4)2 · 3H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Phosphoferrite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pmna
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.41 Å, b = 10.02 Å, c = 8.66 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.939 : 1 : 0.864
Unit Cell V:
816.54 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Crystals octahedral with large {111}, or tabular {010}. The crystals frequently grow in parallel groupings. Massive, granular; coarsely fibrous.
Crystal Structure
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Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0012680 | Phosphoferrite | Moore P B, Araki T (1976) A mixed-valence solid-solution series: Crystal structures of phosphoferrite, Fe3(H2O)3[PO4]2, and kryzhanovskite, Fe3(OH)3[PO4]2 Inorganic Chemistry 15 316-321 | 1976 | synthetic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0009153 | Phosphoferrite | Eversheim P, Kleber W (1953) Morphologie und struktur des reddingits, P2O5*3FeO*3H2O Acta Crystallographica 6 215-216 |  | 1953 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.18 Å | (100) |
| 2.724 Å | (80) |
| 4.25 Å | (70) |
| 2.639 Å | (70) |
| 2.408 Å | (70) |
| 2.222 Å | (70) |
| 1.615 Å | (70) |
Comments:
Hagendorf, Germany.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] |
Type Occurrence of Phosphoferrite
Co-Type Localities:
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 150230.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Pegmatite
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Phosphoferrite
Other Language Names for Phosphoferrite
Relationship of Phosphoferrite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Reddingite Group:
| Correianevesite | Fe2+Mn2+2(PO4)2 · 3H2O | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) |
| Garyansellite | Mg2Fe3+(PO4)2(OH) · 2H2O | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) |
| Kryzhanovskite | (Fe3+,Mn2+)3(PO4)2(OH,H2O)3 | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) |
| Landesite | Mn2+3-xFe3+x(PO4)2(OH)x · (3-x)H2O | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) |
| Reddingite | (Mn2+,Fe2+)3(PO4)2 · 3H2O | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pmna |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 18 photos of Phosphoferrite associated with Ludlamite | Fe2+3(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 6 photos of Phosphoferrite associated with Vivianite | Fe2+Fe2+2(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 3 photos of Phosphoferrite associated with Kryzhanovskite | (Fe3+,Mn2+)3(PO4)2(OH,H2O)3 |
| 3 photos of Phosphoferrite associated with Hureaulite | Mn2+5(PO3OH)2(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 2 photos of Phosphoferrite associated with Perloffite | Ba(Mn2+,Fe2+)2Fe3+2(PO4)3(OH)3 |
| 1 photo of Phosphoferrite associated with Graftonite-(Ca) | CaFe2+2(PO4)2 |
| 1 photo of Phosphoferrite associated with Triphylite | LiFe2+PO4 |
| 1 photo of Phosphoferrite associated with Fluorapatite | Ca5(PO4)3F |
| 1 photo of Phosphoferrite associated with Triplite | Mn2+2(PO4)F |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.CC. | Correianevesite | Fe2+Mn2+2(PO4)2 · 3H2O |
| 8.CC.05 | Landesite | Mn2+3-xFe3+x(PO4)2(OH)x · (3-x)H2O |
| 8.CC.05 | Reddingite | (Mn2+,Fe2+)3(PO4)2 · 3H2O |
| 8.CC.05 | Garyansellite | Mg2Fe3+(PO4)2(OH) · 2H2O |
| 8.CC.05 | Kryzhanovskite | (Fe3+,Mn2+)3(PO4)2(OH,H2O)3 |
| 8.CC.10 | Kaatialaite | Fe3+[AsO2(OH)2]3 · 5H2O |
| 8.CC.15 | Leogangite | Cu10(AsO4)4(SO4)(OH)6 · 8H2O |
Other Information
Notes:
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 Phosphoferrite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3199.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Phosphoferrite
Reference List:
Laubmann, H.; Steinmetz, H. (1915) Phosphatführende Pegmatite des Oberpfälzer und Bayerischen Waldes. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, 55 (1-6). 523-586 doi:10.1524/zkri.1915.55.1.523p.569
Steinmetz, H. (1926) Phosphophyllit und Reddingit von Hagendorf. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, 64 (1-6). 405-412 doi:10.1524/zkri.1926.64.1.405(as reddingite)
Moore, Paul Brian (1971) The Fe2+3(H2O)n(PO4)2 homologous series: Crystal-chemical relationships and oxidized equivalents. American Mineralogist, 56 (1-2) 1-17
MOORE, PAUL BRIAN (1974) Evidence for a complete mixed valence solid solution series in Fe23+(H2O)3[PO4]2 (phosphoferrite) Fe33+(OH)3[PO4]2 (kryzhanovskite). Nature, 251 (5473). 305-306 doi:10.1038/251305a0
Moore, Paul Brian., Araki, Takaharu. (1976) Mixed-valence solid-solution series. Crystal structures of phosphoferrite, Fe32+(H2O)3[PO4]2, and kryzhanovskite, Fe33+(OH)3[PO4]2. Inorganic Chemistry, 15 (2) 316-321 doi:10.1021/ic50156a015
Mattievich, E., Danon, J. (1977) Hydrothermal synthesis and Mössbauer studies of ferrous phosphates of the homologous series Fe32+(PO4)2(H2O)n. Journal of Inorganic and Nuclear Chemistry, 39 (4) 569-580 doi:10.1016/0022-1902(77)80567-8
Moore, P. B., Araki, T., Kampf, A. R. (1980) Nomenclature of the phosphoferrite structure type: refinements of landesite and kryzhanovskite. Mineralogical Magazine, 43 (330) 789-795 doi:10.1180/minmag.1980.043.330.14
Localities for Phosphoferrite
Showing 34 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.
Argentina | |
| Roda-Robles et al. (2012) |
Australia | |
| |
| Eagle et al. (2015) |
| Eagle et al. (2015) | |
| Eagle et al. (2015) | |
Brazil | |
| Cassedanne et al. (1982) |
| King et al. (1989) |
| Cassedanne et al. (1981) |
China | |
| Rao et al. (2017) |
France | |
| FONTAN F (1976) |
| Inventaire Minéralogique de la France ... |
Germany (TL) | |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Dill et al. (2008) +1 other reference |
| Dill et al. (2011) |
| Laubmann et al. (1915) +3 other references | |
| Min Mag 43 (1980) +1 other reference | |
| Dana 7:II:770. |
Italy | |
| VIGNOLA et al. (2007) |
| Dana 7:II:771. |
| Vignola et al. (2018) |
Poland | |
| Pieczka A. et al. (2004) |
| Włodek et al. (2015) |
| Łodziński M. & Sitarz M. 2008: Chemical and Spectroscopic Characterization of Some Phosphates Accessory Minerals from Pegmatites of the Sowie Mts (Owles Mts) | |
| Pieczka et al. (2015) +1 other reference | |
Portugal | |
| Martins et al. (2011) +1 other reference |
| Neiva et al. (2001) |
| |
| Pedro Alves collection. Characterized ... |
USA | |
| Mineral News (1995) +1 other reference |
| Moore (1973) |
| Campbell et al. (1985) |
| Rocks & Minerals: 60: 117. +1 other reference |
| Campbell et al. (1985) |
| Smith et al. (2000) |
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Dan Patch Mine, Keystone, Keystone Mining District, Pennington County, South Dakota, USA