Petitjeanite
A valid IMA mineral species
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Petitjeanite
Formula:
Bi3(PO4)2O(OH)
Colour:
White to pale pink or yellow, also dark brown to nearly black
Lustre:
Adamantine, Vitreous
Hardness:
4½
Specific Gravity:
6.99 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Member of:
Name:
For German mineral collector, Klaus Petitjean (10 November 1939 - 7 April 2021) who discovered the mineral.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3329
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3329:5
IMA Classification of Petitjeanite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Bi3+3O(PO4)2(OH)
Approval year:
1992
First published:
1993
Classification of Petitjeanite
8.BO.10
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
O : With only large cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 about 1:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
O : With only large cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 about 1:1
41.10.10.1
41 : ANHYDROUS PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
10 : (AB)3(XO4)2Zq
41 : ANHYDROUS PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
10 : (AB)3(XO4)2Zq
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Pjn | 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 Petitjeanite
Adamantine, Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
White to pale pink or yellow, also dark brown to nearly black
Comment:
Color depends on vanadium content; colorless to pale pink if V-free, yellow if V-rich, may also be dark brown (Jambor et al, 1994).
Streak:
White
Hardness:
4½ on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN25=360(30) kg/mm2 - Vickers
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
6.99 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Petitjeanite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 2.06(2) nγ = 2.13(2)
2V:
Measured: 75° (5)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.070
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
Chemistry of Petitjeanite
Mindat Formula:
Bi3(PO4)2O(OH)
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Pb,V,As
Crystallography of Petitjeanite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.798(3) Å, b = 7.250(3) Å, c = 6.866(2) Å
α = 88.28(2)°, β = 115.27(2)°, γ = 110.70(3)°
α = 88.28(2)°, β = 115.27(2)°, γ = 110.70(3)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.351 : 1 : 0.947
Unit Cell V:
408.35 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Tabular on {100}, slightly elongate [001], with distinct {010}, {001}, {011}, and minor {110}.
Twinning:
Common, interpenetrant, by rotation about [010].
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.188 Å | (100) |
| 3.135 Å | (95) |
| 3.247 Å | (87) |
| 3.026 Å | (75) |
| 2.953 Å | (47) |
| 4.437 Å | (46) |
| 2.165 Å | (41) |
Comments:
Very similar to preisingerite and schumacherite.
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] | |
| 47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] |
Type Occurrence of Petitjeanite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Spherical aggregates or crusts of intergrown crystals to 0.2 mm.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mineralogy Institute, Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Silicified barite veins.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Petitjeanite
Other Language Names for Petitjeanite
Relationship of Petitjeanite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Preisingerite Group:
| Preisingerite | Bi3(AsO4)2O(OH) | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Schumacherite | Bi3(VO4)2O(OH) | Tric. 1 : P1 |
Structurally related to group(s):
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 7 photos of Petitjeanite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 5 photos of Petitjeanite associated with Bismutite | (BiO)2CO3 |
| 5 photos of Petitjeanite associated with Fluorite | CaF2 |
| 4 photos of Petitjeanite associated with Emplectite | CuBiS2 |
| 2 photos of Petitjeanite associated with Bismite | Bi2O3 |
| 2 photos of Petitjeanite associated with Phosphohedyphane | Ca2Pb3(PO4)3Cl |
| 2 photos of Petitjeanite associated with Smrkovecite | Bi2(PO4)O(OH) |
| 2 photos of Petitjeanite associated with Pucherite | Bi(VO4) |
| 1 photo of Petitjeanite associated with Native Bismuth | Bi |
| 1 photo of Petitjeanite associated with Sillénite | Bi12SiO20 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.BO. | Ariegilatite | BaCa12(SiO4)4(PO4)2F2O |
| 8.BO. | Aravaite | Ba2Ca18(SiO4)6(PO4)3(CO3)F3O |
| 8.BO. | Theuerdankite | Ag3AsO4 |
| 8.BO.05 | Nacaphite | Na2Ca(PO4)F |
| 8.BO.10 | Schumacherite | Bi3(VO4)2O(OH) |
| 8.BO.10 | Preisingerite | Bi3(AsO4)2O(OH) |
| 8.BO.15 | Hechtsbergite | Bi2(VO4)O(OH) |
| 8.BO.15 | Smrkovecite | Bi2(PO4)O(OH) |
| 8.BO.15 | Atelestite | Bi2(AsO4)O(OH) |
| 8.BO.20 | Sahlinite | Pb14(AsO4)2O9Cl4 |
| 8.BO.20 | Kombatite | Pb14(VO4)2O9Cl4 |
| 8.BO.25 | Heneuite | CaMg5(CO3)(PO4)3(OH) |
| 8.BO.30 | Nefedovite | Na5Ca4(PO4)4F |
| 8.BO.35 | Kuznetsovite | [Hg2]2+Hg2+[AsO4]Cl |
| 8.BO.40 | Artsmithite | [Hg2]2+2Al(PO4)1.74(OH)1.78 |
| 8.BO.45 | Schlegelite | Bi7(AsO4)3(MoO4)2O4 |
| 8.BO.50 | Hereroite | [Pb32(O,◻)21](AsO4)2[(Si,As,V,Mo)O4]2Cl10 |
| 8.BO.50 | Erikjonssonite | (Pb32O21)[(V,Si,Mo,As)O4]4Cl9 |
| 8.BO.55 | Rudabányaite | (Ag2Hg2)(AsO4)Cl |
| 8.BO.60 | Segerstromite | Ca3(As5+O4)2[As3+(OH)3]2 |
| 8.BO.65 | Wiklundite | Pb2(Mn2+,Zn)3(Fe3+,Mn2+)2(Mn2+,Mg)19(As3+O3)2[(Si,As5+)O4]6(OH)18Cl6 |
Fluorescence of Petitjeanite
Not fluorescent.
Other Information
Notes:
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 Petitjeanite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3329.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Petitjeanite
Localities for Petitjeanite
Showing 20 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.
Czech Republic | |
| Hloušek et al. (2002) |
| Sejkora J. (1992) |
| Sejkora et al. (2006) |
| Pauliš et al. (2022) |
| Losertová et al. (2014) |
France | |
| confirmed by Nicolas Meisser (Lausanne, Switzerland) |
| Thierry Brunsperger 2011 |
| Queneau (n.d.) |
Germany | |
| Habel (2009) |
| Dill et al. (2009) |
| Krause et al. (1993) +1 other reference |
| Petitjean et al. (2000) |
| Massanek et al. (2005) |
| Massanek et al. (2005) |
| Schlegel et al. (1996) +1 other reference |
Slovakia | |
| Martin Števko-unpublished |
| Števko M. et al. (Slovenská republika) | |
Spain | |
| Sainz de Baranda Graf et al. (2023) |
UK | |
| Rumsey et al. (2007) |
Quick NavTopAbout PetitjeaniteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography X-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Gesellschaft Mine, Neustädtel, Schneeberg, Erzgebirgskreis, Saxony, Germany