Simferite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Simferite
Simferopol, Ukraine
Formula:
LiMg(PO4)
Colour:
Dark red to nearly black
Lustre:
Vitreous, Greasy
Specific Gravity:
3.22 - 3.27
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
Found by V.V. Bairakov in the core of a borehole (depth 15 m) in the contact zone of a granite pegmatite body in the Rodionovskoe (Radionovskoye) pegmatite field, Zaporozh'e district Azoz Sea Region, Ukraine. Named after Simferopol City, in Crimea, Ukraine, where the mineral was studied [Pekov 1997].
Both the name simferopolite and simferite was used in the first papers. The name of the city and the mineral is derived from greek, συμφέρω, sympherō, which means to bring together; to be helpful, a common good, as four cations (Li,Mg,Fe,Mn) enter into its structure [Simonov et al 2005].
Both the name simferopolite and simferite was used in the first papers. The name of the city and the mineral is derived from greek, συμφέρω, sympherō, which means to bring together; to be helpful, a common good, as four cations (Li,Mg,Fe,Mn) enter into its structure [Simonov et al 2005].
Simferite has an olivine-type crystal structure, with a half-occupied M1 site, and is also structurally related to the Triphylite Group.
The Mg analogue of lithiophilite and triphylite.
The Mg analogue of lithiophilite and triphylite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3665
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3665:4
IMA Classification of Simferite
Approved
IMA status notes:
Redefined by the IMA
Approval year:
1989
First published:
1989
Approval history:
Formula redefined, 2022.
Classification of Simferite
8.AB.10
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
A : Phosphates, etc. without additional anions, without H2O
B : With medium-sized cations
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
A : Phosphates, etc. without additional anions, without H2O
B : With medium-sized cations
Dana 7th ed.:
38.1.4.3
38.5.7.1
38 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, AND VANADATES
5 : Miscellaneous
38 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, AND VANADATES
5 : Miscellaneous
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Smf | 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 Simferite
Vitreous, Greasy
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Dark red to nearly black
Streak:
Cinnamon-brown
Hardness:
VHN100=457(30) kg/mm2 - Vickers
Cleavage:
Perfect
Prominent on {010}, poor on {100}
Prominent on {010}, poor on {100}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Sub-Conchoidal
Density:
3.22 - 3.27 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.25 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Simferite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.690 - 1.704 nβ = 1.702 - 1.716 nγ = 1.712 - 1.726
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.022
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.
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.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
r > v strong
Optical Extinction:
X = c; Y = a; Z = b.
Pleochroism:
Strong
Comments:
Intense. X=light brown to red; Y=brownish yellow to brown; Z=yellow to reddish yellow.
Comments:
Absorption: X > Y > Z.
Chemistry of Simferite
Mindat Formula:
LiMg(PO4)
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Simferite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Cell Parameters:
a = 4.7468(7) Å, b = 10.101(2) Å, c = 5.8992(7) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.47 : 1 : 0.584
Unit Cell V:
282.85 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Twinning:
Common as simple interpenetration twins
Comment:
Point Group: 2/m 2/m 2/m or mm2. ; Space Group: Pbnm or Pbn21
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0012480 | Simferite | Yakubovich O V, Bairakov V V, Simonov M A (1989) Crystal structure of simferite Li(Mg,Fe3+,Mn3+)2[PO4]2 Doklady Akademii Nauk SSSR 307 1119-1122 | 1989 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.30 Å | (90) |
| 3.45 Å | (60) |
| 2.93 Å | (80) |
| 2.48 Å | (100) |
| 2.42 Å | (60) |
| 2.23 Å | (60) |
| 1.01 Å | (60) |
Comments:
Radionovskoye pegmatite field, Ukraine.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites |
Type Occurrence of Simferite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
A.E. Fersman Museum, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Simferite
Other Language Names for Simferite
Relationship of Simferite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Triphylite Group:
| Heterosite | Fe3+(PO4) | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pmna |
| Karenwebberite | NaFe2+PO4 | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma |
| Lithiophilite | LiMn2+PO4 | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pmna |
| Natrophilite | NaMn2+PO4 | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pmna |
| Purpurite | Mn3+(PO4) | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pmna |
| Triphylite | LiFe2+PO4 | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pmna |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.AB. | Kryzaite | Na4(MgCr)(PO4)3 |
| 8.AB. | Niasite | Ni2+4.5(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AB. | Johanngeorgenstadtite | Ni2+4.5(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AB. | Rodolicoite | Fe3+PO4 |
| 8.AB. | Karwowskiite | Ca9Mg(Fe2+0.5◻0.5)(PO4)7 |
| 8.AB. | Olsenite | KFe4(PO4)3 |
| 8.AB. | Borisenkoite | Cu3[(V,As)O4]2 |
| 8.AB.05 | Farringtonite | Mg3(PO4)2 |
| 8.AB.10 | Natrophilite | NaMn2+PO4 |
| 8.AB.10 | 'Sicklerite' | Li1-x(Mn3+xMn2+1-x)PO4 |
| 8.AB.10 | Heterosite | Fe3+(PO4) |
| 8.AB.10 | Lithiophilite | LiMn2+PO4 |
| 8.AB.10 | Karenwebberite | NaFe2+PO4 |
| 8.AB.10 | Triphylite | LiFe2+PO4 |
| 8.AB.10 | 'Ferrisicklerite' | Li1-x(Fe3+xFe2+1-x)PO4 |
| 8.AB.10 | Purpurite | Mn3+(PO4) |
| 8.AB.15 | Zavalíaite | Mn2+3(PO4)2 |
| 8.AB.15 | Chopinite | Mg3(PO4)2 |
| 8.AB.15 | Sarcopside | Fe2+3(PO4)2 |
| 8.AB.20 | Beusite | Mn2+Mn2+2 (PO4)2 |
| 8.AB.20 | Graftonite-(Ca) | CaFe2+2(PO4)2 |
| 8.AB.20 | Graftonite-(Mn) | MnFe2+2(PO4)2 |
| 8.AB.20 | Graftonite | Fe2+Fe2+2(PO4)2 |
| 8.AB.20 | Beusite-(Ca) | CaMn2+2(PO4)2 |
| 8.AB.25 | Xanthiosite | Ni3(AsO4)2 |
| 8.AB.30 | Lammerite | Cu3(AsO4)2 |
| 8.AB.30 | Paralammerite | Cu3(AsO4)2 |
| 8.AB.35 | Mcbirneyite | Cu3(VO4)2 |
| 8.AB.35 | Pseudolyonsite | Cu3(VO4)2 |
| 8.AB.35 | Stranskiite | Zn2Cu(AsO4)2 |
| 8.AB.40 | Michalskiite | Fe3+1.33Cu2+2(MgFe3+)2(VO4)6 |
| 8.AB.40 | Lyonsite | Cu3Fe4(VO4)6 |
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 Simferite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3665.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Simferite
Reference List:
Ercit, T. S.; Piilonen, P.C.; Locock, A.J.; Kolitsch, U.; Rowe, R. (2006) New mineral names. American Mineralogist, 91 (7). 1201-1209 doi:10.2138/am.2006.467
Łodziński, M., Sitarz, M. (2009) Chemical and spectroscopic characterization of some phosphate accessory minerals from pegmatites of the Sowie Góry Mts, SW Poland. Journal of Molecular Structure, 924-926. 442-447 doi:10.1016/j.molstruc.2008.11.019
Localities for Simferite
Showing 5 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.
China | |
| Rao et al. (2017) |
Poland | |
| 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. (2017) | |
| Pieczka et al. (2018) +1 other reference |
Ukraine (TL) | |
| Bayrakov et al. (2005) |
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Krutaya Balka pegmatite, Rodionovskoe pegmatite field, Middle Berda River, Berdyansk Raion, Zaporizhia Oblast, Ukraine