Scorzalite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Scorzalite
Evaristo P. Scorza
Formula:
Fe2+Al2(PO4)2(OH)2
Colour:
Dark azure blue, green-blue, blue-green
Lustre:
Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Greasy
Hardness:
6
Specific Gravity:
3.33
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1949 by William Thomas Pecora and Joseph John Fahey in honor of Brazilian mineralogist, Evaristo Penna Scorza [August 20, 1899 Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil - March 29, 1969 Brazil]. Scorza was a field geologist, as well as an administrator later in his career. He published on a wide range of geological topics although many of his research papers were mineralogical. Pronounced scor'-za-lite.
Lazulite-Scorzalite Series.
The Fe2+ analogue of Lazulite.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Scorzalite.
The Fe2+ analogue of Lazulite.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Scorzalite.Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3596
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3596:1
IMA Classification of Scorzalite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1949
Classification of Scorzalite
8.BB.40
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
B : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 about 1:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
B : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 about 1:1
41.10.1.2
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
19.14.30
19 : Phosphates
14 : Phosphates of Fe and other metals
19 : Phosphates
14 : Phosphates of Fe and other metals
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Scz | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Scz | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Pronunciation of Scorzalite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Scorzalite
Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Greasy
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Dark azure blue, green-blue, blue-green
Streak:
White to light blue
Hardness:
6 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Good on {110}
Indistinct on {101}
Good on {110}
Indistinct on {101}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
3.33 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.32 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Scorzalite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.626 - 1.645 nβ = 1.654 - 1.674 nγ = 1.663 - 1.68
2V:
Measured: 62° , Calculated: 58° to 68°
Birefringence:
0.036
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.035 - 0.037
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 perceptible
Optical Extinction:
Y = b; X ≈ c.
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X= colorless
Y=Z= blue
Y=Z= blue
Chemistry of Scorzalite
Mindat Formula:
Fe2+Al2(PO4)2(OH)2
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Scorzalite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Setting:
P21/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.15 Å, b = 7.31 Å, c = 7.25 Å
β = 120.58°
β = 120.58°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.978 : 1 : 0.992
Unit Cell V:
326.23 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Generally massive, rare crystals are dipyramidal.
Twinning:
Multiple twinning.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0009234 | Scorzalite | Lindberg M L, Christ C L (1959) Crystal structures of the isostructural minerals lazulite, scorzalite and barbosalite Acta Crystallographica 12 695-697 |  | 1959 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 6.17 Å | (m) |
| 4.72 Å | (m) |
| 3.24 Å | (vs) |
| 3.20 Å | (vs) |
| 3.14 Å | (s) |
| 3.08 Å | (m) |
| 2.55 Å | (m) |
Comments:
Corrego Frio Pegmatite, Minas Gerais, Brazil. X-ray pattern nearly identical to lazulite.
Geological Environment
Geological Setting:
Secondary mineral in complex zoned granitic pegmatites.
Type Occurrence of Scorzalite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Dark blue massive masses to 7 cm, mixed with souzalite.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom, number BM 1965,207 (and/or 208) (type).
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, number C05862 (type).
Harvard Mineralogical Museum, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA (type).
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, number C05862 (type).
Harvard Mineralogical Museum, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA (type).
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Pegmatite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Scorzalite
Dutch:Scorzaliet
German:Scorzalith
Russian:Скорцалит
Simplified Chinese:多铁天蓝石
Spanish:Scorzalita
Traditional Chinese:多鐵天藍石
Relationship of Scorzalite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Lazulite Group:
| Barbosalite | Fe2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Hentschelite | CuFe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
| Lazulite | MgAl2(PO4)2(OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Meizhouite | Fe2+V3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Wilhelmkleinite | ZnFe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 103 photos of Scorzalite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 23 photos of Scorzalite associated with Muscovite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| 16 photos of Scorzalite associated with Rutile | TiO2 |
| 12 photos of Scorzalite associated with Trolleite | Al4(PO4)3(OH)3 |
| 12 photos of Scorzalite associated with Kyanite | Al2(SiO4)O |
| 10 photos of Scorzalite associated with Lazulite | MgAl2(PO4)2(OH)2 |
| 9 photos of Scorzalite associated with Wagnerite | Mg2(PO4)F |
| 9 photos of Scorzalite associated with Gatumbaite | CaAl2(PO4)2(OH)2 · H2O |
| 9 photos of Scorzalite associated with Augelite | Al2(PO4)(OH)3 |
| 7 photos of Scorzalite associated with Berlinite | AlPO4 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.BB. | Moabite | NiFe3+(PO4)O |
| 8.BB. | Tilasite | CaMg(AsO4)F |
| 8.BB. | Paulgrothite | Cu9Fe3+O4(PO4)4Cl3 |
| 8.BB. | Karlditmarite | Cu9O4(PO4)2(SO4)2 |
| 8.BB. | Milkovoite | Cu4O(PO4)(AsO4) |
| 8.BB.X | Arsenowagnerite | Mg2(AsO4)F |
| 8.BB.05 | Tavorite | LiFe3+(PO4)(OH) |
| 8.BB.05 | Amblygonite | LiAl(PO4)F |
| 8.BB.05 | Montebrasite | LiAl(PO4)(OH) |
| 8.BB.10 | Zwieselite | Fe2+2(PO4)F |
| 8.BB.10 | Triplite | Mn2+2(PO4)F |
| 8.BB.15 | 'Unnamed (Sb-analogue of Auriacusite)' | Fe3+Cu2+[(Sb,As)O4]O |
| 8.BB.15 | Joosteite | Mn2+(Mn3+,Fe3+)(PO4)O |
| 8.BB.15 | Hydroxylwagnerite | Mg2(PO4)(OH) |
| 8.BB.15 | Wagnerite | Mg2(PO4)F |
| 8.BB.15 | Stanĕkite | (Mn2+,Fe2+,Mg)Fe3+(PO4)O |
| 8.BB.15 | Triploidite | Mn2+2(PO4)(OH) |
| 8.BB.15 | Sarkinite | Mn2+2(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BB.15 | Wolfeite | Fe2+2(PO4)(OH) |
| 8.BB.20 | Holtedahlite | Mg2(PO4)(OH) |
| 8.BB.20 | Satterlyite | (Fe2+,Mg,Fe)12(PO4)5(PO3OH)(OH,O)6 |
| 8.BB.25 | Althausite | Mg4(PO4)2(OH,O)(F,◻) |
| 8.BB.30 | Zincolivenite | CuZn(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BB.30 | Adamite | Zn2(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BB.30 | Libethenite | Cu2(PO4)(OH) |
| 8.BB.30 | Zincolibethenite | CuZn(PO4)(OH) |
| 8.BB.30 | Eveite | Mn2+2(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BB.30 | Olivenite | Cu2(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BB.30 | Auriacusite | Fe3+Cu2+(AsO4)O |
| 8.BB.35 | Paradamite | Zn2(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BB.35 | Tarbuttite | Zn2(PO4)(OH) |
| 8.BB.40 | Barbosalite | Fe2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BB.40 | Lazulite | MgAl2(PO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BB.40 | Meizhouite | Fe2+V3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BB.40 | Hentschelite | CuFe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BB.40 | Wilhelmkleinite | ZnFe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BB.45 | Dokuchaevite | Cu8O2(VO4)3Cl3 |
| 8.BB.45 | Trolleite | Al4(PO4)3(OH)3 |
| 8.BB.45 | Yaroshevskite | Cu9O2(VO4)4Cl2 |
| 8.BB.50 | Namibite | Cu(BiO)2(VO4)(OH) |
| 8.BB.50 | Aleutite | [Cu5O2](AsO4)(VO4) · (Cu,K,Pb,Rb,Cs,)Cl |
| 8.BB.52a | Ericlaxmanite | Cu4O(AsO4)2 |
| 8.BB.52b | Kozyrevskite | Cu4O(AsO4)2 |
| 8.BB.55 | Phosphoellenbergerite | (Mg,◻)2Mg12(PO4,PO3OH)6(PO3OH,CO3)2(OH)6 |
| 8.BB.55 | Popovite | Cu5O2(AsO4)2 |
| 8.BB.60 | Urusovite | CuAl(AsO4)O |
| 8.BB.65 | Theoparacelsite | Cu3(As2O7)(OH)2 |
| 8.BB.70 | Turanite | Cu5(VO4)2(OH)4 |
| 8.BB.75 | Stoiberite | Cu5(VO4)2O2 |
| 8.BB.80 | Fingerite | Cu11(VO4)6O2 |
| 8.BB.85 | Averievite | Cu6(VO4)2O2Cl2 |
| 8.BB.90 | Richellite | CaFe3+2(PO4)2(OH,F)2 |
| 8.BB.90 | Lipscombite | Fe2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BB.90 | Zinclipscombite | ZnFe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 |
Fluorescence of Scorzalite
Not fluorescent in UV
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 Scorzalite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3596.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 Scorzalite
Reference List:
Meyers, T. R. (1948) Green lazulite from Stoddard, New Hampshire. American Mineralogist, 33 (5-6) 366-368 (actually scorzalite with an extremely slight dominance of Fe)
Pecora, William T., Fahey, Joseph J. (1949) The Corrego Frio pegmatite, Minas Gerais: scorzalite and souzalite, two new phosphate minerals. American Mineralogist, 34 (1-2) 83-93
Pecora, W. T., Fahey, J. J. (1949) Scorzalite from South Dakota: A new occurrence. American Mineralogist, 34 (9-10) 685-687
Pecora, William T., Fahey, Joseph J. (1949) The Corrego Frio pegmatite, Minas Gerais: scorzalite and souzalite, two new phosphate minerals. American Mineralogist, 34 (1-2) 83-93
Pecora, W. T., Fahey, J. J. (1950) The lazulite-scorzalite isomorphous series. American Mineralogist, 35 (1-2) 1-18
Lindberg, M. L., Christ, C. L. (1959) Crystal structures of the isostructural minerals lazulite, scorzalite and barbosalite. Acta Crystallographica, 12 (9) 695-697 doi:10.1107/s0365110x5900202x
Matsubara, Satoshi, Kato, Akira (1980) Pegmatite Phosphates from Yukiiri, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Japan, 14 (4) 269-286 doi:10.2465/gkk1952.14.269
Schmid-Beurmann, P.; Morteani, G.; Cemič, L. (1997) Experimental determination of the upper stability of scorzalite, FeAl2[OH/PO4]2, and the occurrence of minerals with a composition intermediate between scorzalite and lazulite(ss) up to the conditions of the amphibolite facies. Mineralogy and Petrology, 61 (1-4). 211-222 doi:10.1007/bf01172485
Schmid-Beurmann, P.; Knitter, St.; Cemic, L. (1999) Crystal chemical properties of synthetic lazulite-scorzalite solid-solution series. Physics and Chemistry of Minerals, 26 (6). 496-505 doi:10.1007/s002690050212
Localities for Scorzalite
Showing 82 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.
Afghanistan | |
| Orris et al. (2002) |
Australia | |
| Duggan et al. (1990) |
| Duggan et al. (1990) | |
| Personally collected by Ryan Eagle in ... +2 other references |
| Eagle et al. (2015) +1 other reference | |
| Eagle et al. (2015) +1 other reference | |
| Museum Victoria Natural Sciences ... | |
Austria | |
| Niedermayr et al. (1995) |
Bolivia | |
| Brian Kosnar specimen (checked by PXRD) |
Brazil | |
| Franz et al. (2014) |
| American Mineralogist (1948) +3 other references |
| Atencio et al. (2006) |
| Sergio Varvello collection |
Canada | |
| P.B. Tomascak et al. (1994) |
China | |
| Rao et al. (2014) |
Czech Republic | |
| Breiter K. |
| Jan Hloušek | |
| Masau +2 other references |
| Staněk (1991) +4 other references |
| Staněk (1997) | |
France | |
| Raimbault et al. (1995) |
| Delfour (2007) |
Germany | |
| Habel (1991) |
| Habel (2006) |
| Dill et al. (2012) |
| Dill et al. (2011) |
| web.archive.org (2001) +1 other reference | |
| Dill et al. (2008) | |
Japan | |
| |
| Matsubara et al. (1980) |
| Matsubara et al. (1998) +1 other reference |
Morocco | |
| Fransolet (1975) |
| Favreau (2012) |
Namibia | |
| von Bezing (2007) |
| in the collection of F.J.Emmerich | |
| Förch (1998) |
Portugal | |
| Nunes (n.d.) |
| |
| Alves (n.d.) | |
| Schnorrer-Köhler et al. (1991) |
| Dias P et al. (2014) |
Russia | |
| Jambor et al. (2001) +1 other reference |
| webmineral.ru (2021) |
Rwanda | |
| Lefèvre et al. (http://www.minsocam.org/msa/special/pig/PIG_articles/Elba%20Abstracts%2012%20Lefevre.pdf) +1 other reference |
| Daltry et al. (1998) +1 other reference |
| Fransolet (1989) | |
| Handbook of Mineralogy (http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/lacroixite.pdf) | |
Spain | |
| Roda-Robles et al. (2012) |
| Bareche (2005) |
| & locality references +1 other reference | |
Sweden | |
| Gustafsson (1989) +1 other reference |
| |
| Henriques (1957) +1 other reference |
| Ek et al. (1990) |
Switzerland | |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
USA | |
| Rob Bowell |
| Robert Bowell and Rolf Luetcke | |
| London et al. (1982) |
| www.mineralsocal.org (1999) |
| Pemberton (1983) +1 other reference | |
| Smerud (1956) +1 other reference |
| Gross et al. (1968) +4 other references |
| Murdoch (1966) | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Schooner (circa 1980s) |
| King (2009) |
| King et al. (1994) +1 other reference |
| King et al. (6) | |
| King et al. (1994) | |
| King et al. (6) +1 other reference | |
| Scott Soucey and Tim Blake specimen |
| |
| Smith (2005) |
| Moore (1965) +3 other references | |
| Whitmore et al. (2004) | |
| Rocks & Min. +2 other references | |
| Thompson et al. (2022) |
| Smith (2005) +1 other reference |
| Marian Lupulescu et al. (2010) |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
| Anthony et al. (2016) |
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Charles Davis Mine, Groton, Grafton County, New Hampshire, USA