Svabite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Svabite
Anton von Swab
Formula:
Ca5(AsO4)3F
Colour:
Colorless, light yellow, gray, light brown; colourless in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Greasy
Hardness:
5
Specific Gravity:
3.5 - 3.8
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1891 by (Sten Anders) Hjalmar Sjögren in honor of Anton von Swab (Svab) [July 29, 1703 Fahlun, Sweden - January 28, 1768 Stockholm, Sweden], chemist, mineralogist, and Swedish mining official - Bergmästaregatan in Skåne and Kronoberg. Swab was a step-brother of Emmanuel Swedenborg. Swab made important discoveries. He refined zinc from calamine and later from blende (sphalerite) and together with Axel Cronstedt developed a commercial process for refining zinc and in turn greatly aided the manufacture of brass in Sweden. Swab also discovered native antimony at Sala, Sweden. Weeks (1960) cited an obituary of Anton von Swab and Georg Brandt written by Carl von Linné: "The kingdom and our sciences have now lost in a single year two stars of the first magnitude, Brandt and Svab. The Bureau of Mines and the science of mining have lost their supporting pillars. Men such as these never spring up like mushrooms. So far as I know, Europe has none like them. … A king can lose an army, but within a year have another just as good. A king can lose a fleet and within two years have another rigged up, but a Brandt and a Svab cannot be gotten again during his entire reign."
Type Locality:
Isostructural with:
Apatite Supergroup. The arsenate analogue of fluorapatite. The fluorine analogue of johnbaumite and turneaureite.
Forms a series toward fluorapatite with an increase of P for As. Also forms a series toward hedyphane and mimetite with an increase of Pb and Cl. Occurs as a rare accessory mineral in calc-silicate skarns and metamorphosed manganese mineralisations.
Sjögren (1891) described and named svabite as a new mineral from Harstigen, Värmland, Sweden. In 1892, he reported the occurrence of svabite at Harstigen and also at another locality, the Jakobsberg Mine, Sweden. At the time, they did not distinguish between OH-dominant and F-dominant calcium arsenate. A re-examination of the chemical analyses of Sjögren (1891, 1892) shows that the mineral from Harstigen was probably not svabite (F-dominant), but johnbaumite (OH-dominant). The reason for "probably" concerns the inaccuracy of fluorine determinations in the time period. The Sjögren (1891, 1892) chemical analysis of the specimen from Jakobsberg is F-dominant (svabite). The accuracy of the analysis of the Harstigen specimen relating to its being the type locality for svabite, has been questioned (Biagioni & Pasero 2013) and Jakobsberg may be regarded as the type locality.
Forms a series toward fluorapatite with an increase of P for As. Also forms a series toward hedyphane and mimetite with an increase of Pb and Cl. Occurs as a rare accessory mineral in calc-silicate skarns and metamorphosed manganese mineralisations.
Sjögren (1891) described and named svabite as a new mineral from Harstigen, Värmland, Sweden. In 1892, he reported the occurrence of svabite at Harstigen and also at another locality, the Jakobsberg Mine, Sweden. At the time, they did not distinguish between OH-dominant and F-dominant calcium arsenate. A re-examination of the chemical analyses of Sjögren (1891, 1892) shows that the mineral from Harstigen was probably not svabite (F-dominant), but johnbaumite (OH-dominant). The reason for "probably" concerns the inaccuracy of fluorine determinations in the time period. The Sjögren (1891, 1892) chemical analysis of the specimen from Jakobsberg is F-dominant (svabite). The accuracy of the analysis of the Harstigen specimen relating to its being the type locality for svabite, has been questioned (Biagioni & Pasero 2013) and Jakobsberg may be regarded as the type locality.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3836
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3836:8
IMA Classification of Svabite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Ca5(As5+O4)3F
First published:
1891
Classification of Svabite
8.BN.05
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
N : With only large cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 = 0.33:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
N : With only large cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 = 0.33:1
41.8.3.1
41 : ANHYDROUS PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
8 : A5(XO4)3Zq
41 : ANHYDROUS PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
8 : A5(XO4)3Zq
22.1.28
22 : Phosphates, Arsenates or Vanadates with other Anions
1 : Phosphates, arsenates or vanadates with fluoride
22 : Phosphates, Arsenates or Vanadates with other Anions
1 : Phosphates, arsenates or vanadates with fluoride
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sva | 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 Svabite
Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Greasy
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Colorless, light yellow, gray, light brown; colourless in transmitted light.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
5 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Poor/Indistinct
On {1010}, indistinct.
On {1010}, indistinct.
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
3.5 - 3.8 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.67 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Lowest in material low in Pb and high in P.
Optical Data of Svabite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.706 nε = 1.698
Birefringence:
0.008
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.008
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 uniaxial interference figure - the conoscopic
(convergent-light, Bertrand-lens-in) view, for a grain cut with the optic axis
centred and vertical. The coloured rings are isochromatics, computed with the
same physics as the Michel-Lévy bar above; the dark cross is the isogyre.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
Chemistry of Svabite
Mindat Formula:
Ca5(AsO4)3F
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
O,H,OH,Cl
Crystallography of Svabite
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Class (H-M):
6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) - Dihexagonal Dipyramidal
Space Group:
P63/mmc
Setting:
P63/mmc
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.75 Å, c = 6.92 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.71
Unit Cell V:
569.70 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Crystals short prismatic [0001]. Also massive.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.94 Å | (40) |
| 3.44 Å | (50) |
| 2.87 Å | (100) |
| 2.79 Å | (90) |
| 2.65 Å | (40) |
| 1.981 Å | (40) |
| 1.860 Å | (60) |
Comments:
From "Langban, Sweden"
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| High-? alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 32 : Ba/Mn/Pb/Zn deposits, including metamorphic deposits | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45a : [Sulfates, arsenates, selenates, antimonates] | |
| 45b : [Other oxidized fumarolic minerals] | |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] | |
| 47g : [Halogen-bearing surface weathering minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Svabite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Small hexagonal prisms, 1-2 mm in length.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA (113494).
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Svabite
Relationship of Svabite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Apatite Group:
| Alforsite | Ba5(PO4)3Cl | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| 'Apatite' | Ca5(PO4)3A | |
| Chlorapatite | Ca5(PO4)3Cl | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Fluoralforsite | Ba5(PO4)3F | Hex. 6/m : P6/m |
| Fluorapatite | Ca5(PO4)3F | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Fluorpyromorphite | Pb5(PO4)3F | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Hydroxylapatite | Ca5(PO4)3(OH) | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Hydroxylpyromorphite | Pb5(PO4)3(OH) | Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P63/mcm |
| Johnbaumite | Ca5(AsO4)3(OH) | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Mimetite | Pb5(AsO4)3Cl | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| 'Oxypyromorphite' | Pb10(PO4)6O | |
| Pieczkaite | Mn5(PO4)3Cl | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Pliniusite | Ca5(VO4)3F | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Pyromorphite | Pb5(PO4)3Cl | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Stronadelphite | Sr5(PO4)3F | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Turneaureite | Ca5(AsO4)3Cl | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| 'Unnamed (OH-analogue of Mimetite)' | Pb5(AsO4)3(OH) | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
| Vanadinite | Pb5(VO4)3Cl | Hex. 6/m : P63/m |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 31 photos of Svabite associated with Tilasite | CaMg(AsO4)F |
| 29 photos of Svabite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 10 photos of Svabite associated with Johnbaumite | Ca5(AsO4)3(OH) |
| 6 photos of Svabite associated with Spessartine | Mn2+3Al2(SiO4)3 |
| 5 photos of Svabite associated with Hausmannite | Mn2+Mn3+2O4 |
| 5 photos of Svabite associated with Anhydrite | CaSO4 |
| 4 photos of Svabite associated with Caryopilite | Mn2+3Si2O5(OH)4 |
| 4 photos of Svabite associated with Turneaureite | Ca5(AsO4)3Cl |
| 4 photos of Svabite associated with Hematite | Fe2O3 |
| 4 photos of Svabite associated with Barysilite | Pb8Mn2+[Si2O7]3 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.BN. | Fluoralforsite | Ba5(PO4)3F |
| 8.BN. | Aradite | BaCa6[(SiO4)(VO4)](VO4)2F |
| 8.BN. | Magganasite | CuFe3+3O(AsO4)3 |
| 8.BN. | Fluorpyromorphite | Pb5(PO4)3F |
| 8.BN. | Fluorsigaiite | Ca2Sr3(PO4)3F |
| 8.BN.05 | Pieczkaite | Mn5(PO4)3Cl |
| 8.BN.05 | Fluorapatite | Ca5(PO4)3F |
| 8.BN.05 | Fluorcaphite | SrCaCa3(PO4)3F |
| 8.BN.05 | Vanadinite | Pb5(VO4)3Cl |
| 8.BN.05 | Hedyphane | Ca2Pb3(AsO4)3Cl |
| 8.BN.05 | Hydroxylhedyphane | Ca2Pb3(AsO4)3(OH) |
| 8.BN.05 | 'Mimetite-M' | Pb5(AsO4)3Cl |
| 8.BN.05 | Johnbaumite | Ca5(AsO4)3(OH) |
| 8.BN.05 | Pliniusite | Ca5(VO4)3F |
| 8.BN.05 | 'Hydroxylapatite-M' | Ca5(PO4)3OH |
| 8.BN.05 | Hydroxylpyromorphite | Pb5(PO4)3(OH) |
| 8.BN.05 | Miyahisaite | (Sr,Ca)2Ba3(PO4)3F |
| 8.BN.05 | Carlgieseckeite-(Nd) | NaNdCa3(PO4)3F |
| 8.BN.05 | Belovite-(Ce) | NaCeSr3(PO4)3F |
| 8.BN.05 | Kuannersuite-(Ce) | NaCeBa3(PO4)3F0.5Cl0.5 |
| 8.BN.05 | Alforsite | Ba5(PO4)3Cl |
| 8.BN.05 | 'Unnamed (OH-analogue of Mimetite)' | Pb5(AsO4)3(OH) |
| 8.BN.05 | Stronadelphite | Sr5(PO4)3F |
| 8.BN.05 | Parafiniukite | Ca2Mn3(PO4)3Cl |
| 8.BN.05 | Mimetite | Pb5(AsO4)3Cl |
| 8.BN.05 va | 'Germanate-pyromorphite' | Pb5(PO4)2GeO4 |
| 8.BN.05 | Belovite-(La) | NaLaSr3(PO4)3F |
| 8.BN.05 | Fluorphosphohedyphane | Ca2Pb3(PO4)3F |
| 8.BN.05 | Fluorstrophite | SrCaSr3(PO4)3F |
| 8.BN.05 | Hydroxylapatite | Ca5(PO4)3(OH) |
| 8.BN.05 | 'Johnbaumite-M' | Ca5(AsO4)3OH |
| 8.BN.05 | Phosphohedyphane | Ca2Pb3(PO4)3Cl |
| 8.BN.05 | Turneaureite | Ca5(AsO4)3Cl |
| 8.BN.05 | Morelandite | Ca2Ba3(AsO4)3Cl |
| 8.BN.05 | 'Oxypyromorphite' | Pb10(PO4)6O |
| 8.BN.05 | Deloneite | (Na0.5REE0.25Ca0.25)(Ca0.75REE0.25)Sr1.5(CaNa0.25REE0.25)(PO4)3F0.5(OH)0.5 |
| 8.BN.05 | Chlorapatite | Ca5(PO4)3Cl |
| 8.BN.05 | Pyromorphite | Pb5(PO4)3Cl |
| 8.BN.05 | Vanackerite | Pb4Cd(AsO4)3Cl |
| 8.BN.10 | Arctite | Na2Ca4(PO4)3F |
| 8.BN.10 | Krügerite | BaCa6(SiO4)2[(P0.5S0.5)O4]2F |
| 8.BN.15 | Goryainovite | Ca2(PO4)Cl |
Fluorescence of Svabite
Fluoresces golden yellow to orange yellow SW and LW
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in dilute acids.
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 Svabite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3836.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 Svabite
Reference List:
Sjögren, Hj. (1891) Bidrag till Sveriges mineralogi 3. Geologiska Föreningen i Stockholm Förhandlingar, 13 (7) 781-796 doi:10.1080/11035899109445851
Sjögren, Hj. (1895) 7. Mauzeliit et nytt antimonat från Jakobsberg, in Preliminära meddelanden om några undersökningar på svenska mineral. Geologiska Föreningen i Stockholm Förhandlingar, 17 (3). 313-318 doi:10.1080/11035899509442303
Larsen, Esper S. (1921) The microscopic determination of the nonopaque minerals. Bulletin 679. US Geological Survey doi:10.3133/b679 p.140
Flink, Gust. (1925) Om svabit från Långban, ett för fyndorten nytt mineral. Geologiska Föreningen i Stockholm Förhandlingar, 47 (1) 127-134 doi:10.1080/11035892509443181
Bauer, L. H., Berman, Harry (1930) Notes on some Franklin minerals. American Mineralogist, 15 (8) 340-348 p.347
Goodman, P.; Schwartzman, A.; Rodier, B.; Lincoln, F.; White, T. J. (1996) Determination of space group and structure for synthetic svabite: Ca5(AsO4)3F. Acta Crystallographica Section A Foundations of Crystallography, 52 (a1). C314 doi:10.1107/s0108767396086941
Whitfield, Pamela S., Le Page, Yvon, Mercier, Patrick H. J., Kim, Jean Y. (2007) Least-squares thermal expansion tensor of vanadate and arsenate triclinic apatites derived from laboratory X-ray powder diffraction cell data. Journal of Applied Crystallography, 40 (6). 1019-1026 doi:10.1107/s0021889807045244
Zhu, Yinian, Zhang, Xuehong, Zeng, Honghu, Liu, Huili, He, Na, Qian, Meifang (2011) Characterization, dissolution and solubility of synthetic svabite [Ca5(AsO4)3F] at 25–45°C. Environmental Chemistry Letters, 9 (3) 339-345 doi:10.1007/s10311-010-0284-0
Biagioni, C., Pasero, M. (2013) The crystal structure of johnbaumite, Ca5(AsO4)3OH, the arsenate analogue of hydroxylapatite. American Mineralogist, 98 (8) 1580-1584 doi:10.2138/am.2013.4443
Localities for Svabite
Showing 31 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.
Australia | |
| Haupt et al. (2025) |
Austria | |
| Kolitsch et al. (2019) |
| Kolitsch et al. (2019) |
Germany | |
| Walenta (1992) |
Italy | |
| Piccoli et al. (2007) +1 other reference |
| Brizzi et al. (1989) |
Norway | |
| Raade (1982) +1 other reference |
| Ellingsen et al. (2000) +1 other reference |
Russia | |
| Pekov et al. (2019) +4 other references |
| Shchipalkina et al. (2020) |
| Kasatkin et al. (2021) |
Slovakia | |
| Martin Števko & Pavol Myšľan +1 other reference |
Sweden | |
| American Mineralogist +1 other reference |
| |
| My own collection | |
| Augsten (2010) | |
| Wilke Band 4 Skandinavien | |
| Holtstam et al. (2001) |
| Collection of Bergsskolan (8115) +1 other reference |
| Gatedal (n.d.) +2 other references |
| Sjögren (1892) +1 other reference |
| Gatedal (n.d.) +1 other reference | |
| Nysten (2003) | |
| Holtstam et al. (1998) | |
| Sjögren (1891) +2 other references |
| Nysten et al. (2016) |
| Johansson (1990) |
USA | |
| Crimmins (2012) |
| King | |
| FOMS Millsite Committee (1986) | |
| Chamberlain et al. (2023) |
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Stuor-Njåske, Ultevis, Jokkmokk, Norrbotten County, Sweden