Picropharmacolite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Picropharmacolite
Formula:
Ca4Mg(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 11H2O
Colour:
White; colorless in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Sub-Vitreous, Silky, Pearly
Hardness:
1 - 2
Specific Gravity:
2.55 - 2.64
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
Named by Friedrich Stromeyer in 1819 from the Greek πικροζ = bitter in allusion to its composition, containing magnesia, and φάρμακον ("pharmakon"), a substance with potent properties (a poison, but may also mean a drug or medicine; cf. pharmacy, pharmaceutical etc.) Picropharmacolite is not structurally related to pharmacolite despite its name as well as the chemical and physical similarity.
Usually found as small to microscopic pearly white botryoids with a radiating structure internally, also commonly as silky fibrous aggregates or small acicular crystals.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3207
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3207:6
IMA Classification of Picropharmacolite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Ca4Mg(As5+O3OH)2(As5+O4)2·11H2O
First published:
1819
Classification of Picropharmacolite
8.CH.15
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
H : With large and medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O < 1:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
H : With large and medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O < 1:1
Dana 7th ed.:
39.2.4.1
39.2.4.1
39 : HYDRATED ACID PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
2 : (AB)5[HXO4]2[XO4]2.xH2O
39 : HYDRATED ACID PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
2 : (AB)5[HXO4]2[XO4]2.xH2O
20.2.21
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
2 : Arsenates of Be, Mg, Ca or Ba
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
2 : Arsenates of Be, Mg, Ca or Ba
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ppm | 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 Picropharmacolite
Sub-Vitreous, Silky, Pearly
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
White; colorless in transmitted light.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
1 - 2 on Mohs scale
Hardness Data:
Measured
Comment:
Hardness may be higher
Tenacity:
Fragile
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {100} and {010}, perfect.
On {100} and {010}, perfect.
Fracture:
Fibrous, Micaceous
Density:
2.55 - 2.64 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.58 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Measured value on Joplin, Missouri, material.
Optical Data of Picropharmacolite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.556 - 1.566 nβ = 1.566 - 1.571 nγ = 1.577 - 1.585
2V:
Measured: 50°
Birefringence:
0.020
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.019 - 0.021
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 (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:
Z ^ c = 8°-15°, X=b
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Comments:
Earlier reports of higher refractive indices probably made erroneously on another species.
Chemistry of Picropharmacolite
Mindat Formula:
Ca4Mg(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 11H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Picropharmacolite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Setting:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 13.547 Å, b = 13.500 Å, c = 6.710 Å
α = 99.85°, β = 96.41°, γ = 91.60°
α = 99.85°, β = 96.41°, γ = 91.60°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.003 : 1 : 0.497
Unit Cell V:
1,200.12 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Crystals are most commonly acicular and in radial to divergent clusters, rarely as rectangular prisms elongated on [001]; more typically open spherical clusters to botryoidal with a radiating foliated internal structure, or as fibrous aggregates.
Twinning:
None reported.
Comment:
Am Min (1981) 66:385 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0000825 | Picropharmacolite | Catti M, Ferraris G, Ivaldi G (1981) The crystal structure of picropharmacolite, Ca4Mg(HAsO4)2(AsO4)2*11H2O American Mineralogist 66 385-391 |  | 1981 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 13.50 Å | (100) |
| 9.20 Å | (60) |
| 4.84 Å | (40) |
| 4.44 Å | (40) |
| 3.78 Å | (60) |
| 3.18 Å | (80) |
| 3.066 Å | (70) |
| 2.92 Å | (50) |
Comments:
ICDD 14-222
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals | |
| 56 : Slag and smelter minerals (see also #51 and #55) |
Geological Setting:
A secondary mineral found in the oxidized zones of metal ore deposits rich in arsenic; usually post-mine.
Type Occurrence of Picropharmacolite
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Surface weathering of arsenic-bearing ores on a mineral mine dump
Synonyms of Picropharmacolite
Arsenicite (in part)
Other Language Names for Picropharmacolite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 50 photos of Picropharmacolite associated with Realgar | As4S4 |
| 44 photos of Picropharmacolite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 43 photos of Picropharmacolite associated with Guérinite | Ca6(HAsO4)3(AsO4)2 · 10.5H2O |
| 41 photos of Picropharmacolite associated with Erythrite | Co3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 39 photos of Picropharmacolite associated with Sainfeldite | Ca5(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 21 photos of Picropharmacolite associated with Orpiment | As2S3 |
| 19 photos of Picropharmacolite associated with Pharmacolite | Ca(HAsO4) · 2H2O |
| 9 photos of Picropharmacolite associated with Rauenthalite | Ca3(AsO4)2 · 10H2O |
| 8 photos of Picropharmacolite associated with Phaunouxite | Ca3(AsO4)2 · 11H2O |
| 8 photos of Picropharmacolite associated with Weilite | Ca(HAsO4) |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.CH. | Georgeliuite | Ca2Mn3+3O2(AsO4)3(H2O)2 · H2O |
| 8.CH.05 | Natrowalentaite | [Fe3+0.5Na0.5(H2O)6][NaAs3+2(Fe3+2.33W6+0.67)(PO4)2O7] |
| 8.CH.05 | Walentaite | [Mn2+(H2O)6][◻As3+3Fe3+3(PO4)2O7] |
| 8.CH.05 | Halilsarpite | [Mg(H2O)6][CaAs3+2(Fe3+2.67Mo6+0.33)(AsO4)2O7] |
| 8.CH.10 | Anapaite | Ca2Fe2+(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CH.20 | Dittmarite | (NH4)Mg(PO4) · H2O |
| 8.CH.20 | Niahite | (NH4)Mn2+(PO4) · H2O |
| 8.CH.25 | Taranakite | K3Al5(PO3OH)6(PO4)2 · 18H2O |
| 8.CH.25 | Francoanellite | K3Al5(PO3OH)6(PO4)2 · 12H2O |
| 8.CH.25 | Macivorite | (NH4)3Al5(PO3OH)6(PO4)2 · 18H2O |
| 8.CH.30 | Schertelite | (NH4)2MgH2(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CH.35 | Hannayite | (NH4)2Mg3H4(PO4)4 · 8H2O |
| 8.CH.40 | Hazenite | KNaMg2(PO4)2 · 14H2O |
| 8.CH.40 | Struvite-(K) | KMg(PO4) · 6H2O |
| 8.CH.40 | Struvite | (NH4)Mg(PO4) · 6H2O |
| 8.CH.45 | Rimkorolgite | (Mg,Mn)5(Ba,Sr,Ca)(PO4)4 · 8H2O |
| 8.CH.50 | Bakhchisaraitsevite | Na2Mg5(PO4)4 · 7H2O |
| 8.CH.55 | Smolyaninovite | Co3Fe3+2(AsO4)4 · 11H2O |
| 8.CH.55 | Fahleite | CaZn5Fe3+2(AsO4)6 · 14H2O |
| 8.CH.60 | Barahonaite-(Fe) | (Ca,Cu,Na,Fe3+,Al)12Fe3+2(AsO4)8(OH,Cl)x · nH2O |
| 8.CH.60 | Barahonaite-(Al) | (Ca,Cu,Na,Fe3+,Al)12Al2(AsO4)8(OH,Cl)x · nH2O |
| 8.CH.70 | Epifanovite | NaCaCu5(PO4)4[AsO2(OH)2] · 7H2O |
| 8.CH.75 | Esdanaite-(Ce) | NaMnCe(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
Fluorescence of Picropharmacolite
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 Picropharmacolite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3207.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Picropharmacolite
Reference List:
Larsen, Esper S. (1921) The microscopic determination of the nonopaque minerals. Bulletin 679. US Geological Survey doi:10.3133/b679 p.120
Pierrot, Roland (1961) Nouvelles données sur la picropharmacolite. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 84 (4) 391-396 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1961.5520
Fleischer, Michael; Mandarino, J. A.; Servos, Kurt; Toulmin, Priestley, III (1962) New Mineral Names. American Mineralogist, 47 (9-10). 1216-1223
Pierrot, Roland (1964) Contribution à la minéralogie des arséniates calciques et calcomagnésiens naturels. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 87 (2) 169-211 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1964.5727
Sumin de Portilla, Valentina I. (1974) OH groups and the structure of picropharmacolite by IR spectroscopy. American Mineralogist, 59 (7-8) 807-810
Abbona, Francesco, Ferraris, Giovanni (1976) On the crystal chemistry of picropharmacolite. American Mineralogist, 61 (3-4) 326-328
Localities for Picropharmacolite
Showing 132 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.
Austria | |
| C.Auer (2013) |
| Nat. Hist. Mus. Vienna collection |
| Niedermayr et al. (1995) |
| Blass (1999) +1 other reference |
| Neschen (n.d.) |
Canada | |
| Maggie Wilson |
| Reiner Mielke 2012 |
| Reiner Mielke 2016 | |
| Mielke (n.d.) |
Chile | |
| samples analysed by Gerhard Moehn and ... |
| maurizio dini collection - quantitative ... | |
China | |
| Zhang Baogui et al. (1996) |
| www.smartminerals.com (2004) +1 other reference |
| Xianxiao Xiong (1999) |
| Zhang Zhong et al. (2007) | |
Czech Republic | |
| Ondruš et al. (1989) |
| Gramblička R. (2014) |
| Hloušek et al. (2002) | |
| Majzlan et al. (2021) | |
| Sejkora (1994) |
| Tvrdý +1 other reference |
| |
| Hyrsl et al. (2009) | |
| Řídkošil et al. (1985) |
France | |
| King (n.d.) |
| Bari (1982) |
| Wittern et al. (1997) | |
| Pierre et Terre 1982 | |
| De Bondt (n.d.) | |
| Wittern et al. (1997) |
| Bari (1982) | |
| Wittern +1 other reference |
| Bari (1982) +1 other reference | |
| This mine worked the same vein as Gabe ... +2 other references | |
| Wittern et al. (1997) +1 other reference |
| Queneau (n.d.) |
| Robbins et al. (1985) |
| Pélisson et al. (1987) |
| |
| Cuchet (2000) | |
| R. Pierrot | |
Germany | |
| Gröbner et al. (2005) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Walenta (1992) | |
| |
| |
| Blaß et al. (2001) | |
| Markl (1992) |
| |
| Erzgräber 1987 (2) | |
| Walenta (1998) |
| Belendorff (2021) |
| |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Weiß (1990) | |
| Schnorrer-Köhler (1988) | |
| |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Hofmann (1992) |
| Stolze et al. (08/2020) |
| Neschen (n.d.) |
| Vollstädt et al. (1991) | |
| Witzke (1992) | |
| Joachim Esche collection |
| Hajek (2010) |
| Kleeberg et al. (1992) |
| www.dergraul.de (2001) |
| Massanek et al. (2005) |
| Martin et al. (2021) +1 other reference |
| Hans-Jürgen Haas collection | |
| Hans-Jürgen Haas collection | |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Frenzel (1874) |
| Neschen (n.d.) | |
| |
| Witzke et al. (1998) |
Greece | |
| |
| 62 +2 other references |
| Blaß et al. (1998) +1 other reference |
| Fritz Schreiber collection | |
| Rieck et al. (2022) | |
India | |
| Ahmed et al. (2018) |
Iran | |
| Mohsen Mohammadi |
Italy | |
| Balestra et al. (2009) |
| Ottenziali (Ed.) |
| Campostrini et al. (2012) +1 other reference |
| |
| Stara et al. (1996) |
| Stara et al. (1996) | |
| Lecca et al. (2022) |
Japan | |
| Specimens on sale at Tokyo show |
| Ryoji Tanaka collection | |
| OHNISHI et al. (2013) +1 other reference | |
Morocco | |
| Favreau et al. (2006) |
| Favreau et al. (2006) |
| Favreau et al. (2006) |
| Font Philippe specimen | |
| Favreau et al. (2006) | |
| Favreau et al. (2006) | |
| Favreau et al. (2006) |
North Macedonia | |
| Rieck (1993) +1 other reference |
| Boev et al. (2015) | |
| Đorđević et al. (2017) +1 other reference |
Poland | |
| Siuda (2014) +1 other reference |
Russia | |
| Pekov I.V. et al. (2010) +1 other reference |
| Pekov (1998) |
| webmineral.ru (2018) |
| Bortnikova et al. (2017) |
| Pekov (1998) |
Slovakia | |
| Ďuďa R. et al. (1993) |
| Martin Števko-unpublished |
| Martin Števko-unpublished +1 other reference | |
| Ďuda et al. (1996) |
| Martin Števko-unpublished |
South Africa | |
| Reeks (1996) |
Spain | |
| Manuel Echevarria Rodriguez collection |
Switzerland | |
| Analyses by J. Desor (PXRD & EDS) |
| Stalder et al. (1998) +1 other reference |
| Ansermet (2012) |
Taiwan | |
| |
UK | |
| Day (1999) |
| |
USA | |
| Kampf et al. (2017) |
| Wilson et al. (1992) |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Stolburg et al. (1985) |
| Castor et al. (2004) | |
| Dunn (1979) +1 other reference |
| Rocks & Min. | |
| |
| Mineral News: 19 (12) |
| Thorne (n.d.) |
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Sophia Mine, Böckelsbach valley, Wittichen, Schenkenzell, Rottweil, Freiburg Region, Baden-Württemberg, Germany