Birchite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Birchite
William "Bill" D. Birch
Formula:
Cd2Cu2(PO4)2(SO4) · 5H2O
Colour:
Pale blue
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3½ - 4
Specific Gravity:
3.61
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
For William David "Bill" Birch, AM (1949-). Bill obtained his PhD in the Department of Geology at the University of Melbourne in 1976 and commenced work at the National Museum of Victoria (now Museum Victoria), as Curator with responsibilities for developing the mineral, rock and meteorite collections, a position he still holds (in 2009). He has co-described thirty new mineral species and has over 150 publications to his credit. These range from popular articles and booklets accessible to members of the general public with an interest in the geosciences, to major papers involving international mineralogical collaboration.
He has had active involvment in a number of societies such as: the Mineralogical Society of Victoria (founding President), the Gemmological Association of Australia (as present patron), the Geological Society of Australia, the Royal Society of Victoria (he is a member of Council), and the International Mineralogical Association, Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification (Australian representative 1984-1996 and Secretary 1996-2008).
In June 2006 he was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for "service to geological science, particularly through the study and documentation of the geology of Victoria, and to a range of professional organisations."
He has had active involvment in a number of societies such as: the Mineralogical Society of Victoria (founding President), the Gemmological Association of Australia (as present patron), the Geological Society of Australia, the Royal Society of Victoria (he is a member of Council), and the International Mineralogical Association, Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification (Australian representative 1984-1996 and Secretary 1996-2008).
In June 2006 he was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for "service to geological science, particularly through the study and documentation of the geology of Victoria, and to a range of professional organisations."
One of several rare Cd minerals occurring at Broken Hill, NSW, Australia.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
35925
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:35925:8
Similar Names
| Bereshite | A rock subtype | |
| Beyrichite | A variety of Violarite | Fe2+Ni23+S4 |
| Bruiachite | A synonym of Fluorite | |
| Brushite | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | Ca(PO3OH) · 2H2O |
IMA Classification of Birchite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Cd2+2Cu2+2(PO4)2S6+O4·5H2O
Approval year:
2006
First published:
2008
Classification of Birchite
8.DB.70
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
B : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4< 1:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
B : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4< 1:1
43.3.3.
43 : COMPOUND PHOSPHATES, ETC.
3 : Hydrated Normal Compound Phosphates, etc·
43 : COMPOUND PHOSPHATES, ETC.
3 : Hydrated Normal Compound Phosphates, etc·
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bc | 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 Birchite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Pale blue
Hardness:
3½ - 4 on Mohs scale
Hardness Data:
Measured
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
3.61(4) g/cm3 (Measured) 3.647 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Birchite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.624(4) nβ = 1.636(5) nγ = 1.669(4)
2V:
Calculated: 63°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.045
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:
No or only very small dispersion.
Optical Extinction:
X = b; Y = a; Z = c.
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
Very faint pleochroism. X = pale bluish, Z = pale greenish.
Comments:
Absorption: Z ≥ X.
Chemistry of Birchite
Mindat Formula:
Cd2Cu2(PO4)2(SO4) · 5H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Birchite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pnma
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.489(6) Å, b = 20.901(7) Å, c = 6.155(5) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.502 : 1 : 0.294
Unit Cell V:
1349.6 ų
Z:
4
Morphology:
Crystals are bladed (somewhat lath-shaped) and prismatic to acicular in habit. Elongated along [001] and sometimes also flattened on (100). Main forms are {100} and {010}. Most crystals are not well terminated, but some show minor {101} and {001} faces.
Twinning:
No twinning observed.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0004585 | Birchite | Elliot P, Brugger J, Pring A, Cole M L, Willis A C, Kolitsch U (2008) Birchite, a new mineral from Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia: Description and structure refinement American Mineralogist 93 910-917 |  | 2008 | Block 14 Opencut, Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 10.451 Å | (100) |
| 5.146 Å | (30) |
| 4.223 Å | (40) |
| 3.484 Å | (40) |
| 2.902 Å | (70) |
| 2.719 Å | (30) |
| 2.652 Å | (30) |
| 1.919 Å | (80) |
Reference:
Comments:
Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia. Data from the type description.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47b : [Sulfates and sulfites] | |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] |
Type Occurrence of Birchite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Sprays and aggregates to crystals to 0.75 mm. Individual crystals are bladed to prismatic and acicular, with a max. length of 0.3 mm and width of 0.05 mm.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Department of Mineralogy of the South Australian Museum, Adelaide, South Australia, australia (registration number G30968).
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Secondary mineral formed under late stage supergene low-temperature conditions.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Birchite
Other Language Names for Birchite
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.DB. | Arangasite | Al2F(PO4)(SO4) · 9H2O |
| 8.DB. | Höslite | Fe3+3(VO4)2(SO4)(OH)(H2O)4 · 3H2O |
| 8.DB. | Camaronesite | [Fe3+(H2O)2(PO3OH)]2(SO4) · 1-2H2O |
| 8.DB.05 | Destinezite | Fe3+2(PO4)(SO4)(OH) · 6H2O |
| 8.DB.05 | Pitticite | (Fe, AsO4, H2O) (?) |
| 8.DB.05 | Diadochite | Fe3+2(PO4)(SO4)(OH) · 6H2O |
| 8.DB.07 | Wilhelmgümbelite | ZnFe2+Fe3+3(PO4)3(OH)4(H2O)5 · 2H2O |
| 8.DB.07 | Schmidite | [Zn2(Fe3+,Mn2+)2Fe3+(PO4)3(OH)3(H2O)6] · 2H2O |
| 8.DB.07 | Wildenauerite | Zn(Fe3+,Mn2+)2MnFe3+(PO4)3(OH)3(H2O)6 · 2H2O |
| 8.DB.10 | Vashegyite | Al11(PO4)9(OH)6 · 38H2O |
| 8.DB.15 | Schoonerite | ZnMn2+Fe2+2Fe3+(PO4)3(OH)2 · 9H2O |
| 8.DB.20 | Sinkankasite | Mn2+Al(PO3OH)2(OH) · 6H2O |
| 8.DB.25 | Mitryaevaite | Al6(PO4)((P,S)O3(OH,O))2F2(OH)2 · 14.5H2O |
| 8.DB.30 | Sanjuanite | Al2(PO4)(SO4)(OH) · 9H2O |
| 8.DB.35 | Sarmientite | Fe3+2(AsO4)(SO4)(OH) · 5H2O |
| 8.DB.40 | Bukovskýite | Fe3+2(AsO4)(SO4)(OH) · 9H2O |
| 8.DB.40 | Manganflurlite | ZnMn2+3Fe3+(PO4)3(OH)2(H2O)7 · 2H2O |
| 8.DB.40 | Flurlite | Zn3Mn2+Fe3+(PO4)3(OH)2 · 9H2O |
| 8.DB.42 | Bohuslavite | Fe3+4(PO4)3(SO4)(OH) · nH2O |
| 8.DB.45 | Zýkaite | Fe3+4(AsO4)3(SO4)(OH) · 15H2O |
| 8.DB.47 | Lapeyreite | Cu3O[AsO3(OH)]2 · 0.75H2O |
| 8.DB.50 | Rossiantonite | Al3(PO4)(SO4)2(OH)2(H2O)14 |
| 8.DB.50 | Giniite | Fe2+Fe3+4(PO4)3(OH)5 · 2H2O |
| 8.DB.52 | 'Arctowskite' | Al9(PO4)8(OH)3 · 27H2O |
| 8.DB.55 | Sasaite | (Al,Fe3+)14(PO4)11(SO4)(OH)7 · 83H2O |
| 8.DB.60 | Mcauslanite | Fe3Al2(PO4)3(PO3OH)F · 18H2O |
| 8.DB.65 | Goldquarryite | CuCd2Al3(PO4)4F2(H2O,F)2 · 10H2O |
| 8.DB.75 | Braithwaiteite | NaCu5(Ti4+Sb5+)(AsO4)4(HAsO4)2O2 · 8H2O |
Fluorescence of Birchite
Not fluorescent.
Other Information
Notes:
Slowly soluble, without effervescence, in cold 10% 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 Birchite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-35925.html
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References for Birchite
Localities for Birchite
Showing 2 localities.
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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.
Australia (TL) | |
| Elliott et al. (2008) |
| John Haupt |
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Block 14 opencut, Broken Hill, Broken Hill district, Yancowinna Co., New South Wales, Australia