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Fluoralforsite

A valid IMA mineral species - pending publication
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Formula:
Ba5(PO4)3F
Colour:
colorless
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
4 - 4½
Specific Gravity:
4.57 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Name:
Named for being the F-dominant analogue of alforsite.
The F-dominant analogue of alforsite. The Ba analogue of fluorapatite, fluorpyromorphite, and stronadelpite.

Related to final stage of crystallisation when primary mineral assemblages reacted with residual melt.


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Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
470604
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:470604:1

IMA Classification of FluoralforsiteHide

IMA status:
Approved, Pending publication
Approval history:
IMA no. 2022-093

Classification of FluoralforsiteHide

Strunz-mindat (2026):
8.BN.

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
N : With only large cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 = 0.33:1

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference for Standard
FafrIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of FluoralforsiteHide

Lustre:
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colorless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
4 - 4½ on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN25=320 kg/mm2 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
4.57 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of FluoralforsiteHide

Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.689(3) nε = 1.687(3)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.002
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.

Surface Relief:
Moderate

Chemistry of FluoralforsiteHide

Mindat Formula:
Ba5(PO4)3F
Element Weights:
Element% weight
Ba69.319 %
O19.383 %
P9.381 %
F1.918 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
Elements listed:
Ba, F, O, P - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Chemical AnalysisHide

Crystallography of FluoralforsiteHide

Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Class (H-M):
6/m - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
P6/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.9981(1) Å, c = 7.5323(1) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.753
Unit Cell V:
652.07 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
3.776 Å(20)
3.454 Å(32)
3.273 Å(35)
3.008 Å(76)
3.002 Å(100)
2.886 Å(47)
2.083 Å(29)
1.992 Å(29)
Locality:
Hatrurim Basin, Tamar Regional Council, Beersheba Subdistrict, Southern District, Israel

Type Occurrence of FluoralforsiteHide

Type Locality:
ⓘ Hatrurim Basin, Tamar Regional Council, Beersheba Subdistrict, Southern District, Israel
General Appearance of Type Material:
up to 50 µm in length
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
collections of the Natural History Museum, Bernastrasse 15, 3005 Bern, Switzerland, catalogue number 44951
Geological Setting of Type Material:
coarse-grained rankinite paralava in the Hatrurim Basin (Negev Desert), Hatrurim Complex in Israel
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
AndraditeBarioferriteBennesheriteCelsianNative Copper
CuspidineFresnoiteGurimiteHashemiteKalsilite
MagnetiteNephelinePliniusiteRankiniteWalstromite
Wollastonite

Other Language Names for FluoralforsiteHide

Relationship of Fluoralforsite to other SpeciesHide

Member of:
Apatite Group > Apatite Supergroup
Other Members of Apatite Group:
AlforsiteBa5(PO4)3ClHex. 6/m : P63/m
'Apatite'Ca5(PO4)3A
ChlorapatiteCa5(PO4)3ClHex. 6/m : P63/m
FluorapatiteCa5(PO4)3FHex. 6/m : P63/m
FluorpyromorphitePb5(PO4)3FHex. 6/m : P63/m
HydroxylapatiteCa5(PO4)3(OH)Hex. 6/m : P63/m
HydroxylpyromorphitePb5(PO4)3(OH)Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P63/mcm
JohnbaumiteCa5(AsO4)3(OH)Hex. 6/m : P63/m
MimetitePb5(AsO4)3ClHex. 6/m : P63/m
'Oxypyromorphite'Pb10(PO4)6O
PieczkaiteMn5(PO4)3ClHex. 6/m : P63/m
PliniusiteCa5(VO4)3FHex. 6/m : P63/m
PyromorphitePb5(PO4)3ClHex. 6/m : P63/m
StronadelphiteSr5(PO4)3FHex. 6/m : P63/m
SvabiteCa5(AsO4)3FHex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P63/mmc
TurneaureiteCa5(AsO4)3ClHex. 6/m : P63/m
'Unnamed (OH-analogue of Mimetite)'Pb5(AsO4)3(OH)Hex. 6/m : P63/m
VanadinitePb5(VO4)3ClHex. 6/m : P63/m

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

8.BN.AraditeBaCa6[(SiO4)(VO4)](VO4)2FTrig. 3m : R3m
8.BN.MagganasiteCuFe3+3O(AsO4)3Tric. 1 : P1
8.BN.FluorpyromorphitePb5(PO4)3FHex. 6/m : P63/m
8.BN.FluorsigaiiteCa2Sr3(PO4)3FHex. 6/m : P63/m
8.BN.05PieczkaiteMn5(PO4)3ClHex. 6/m : P63/m
8.BN.05FluorapatiteCa5(PO4)3FHex. 6/m : P63/m
8.BN.05FluorcaphiteSrCaCa3(PO4)3FHex. 6/m : P63/m
8.BN.05VanadinitePb5(VO4)3ClHex. 6/m : P63/m
8.BN.05HedyphaneCa2Pb3(AsO4)3ClHex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P63/mmc
8.BN.05HydroxylhedyphaneCa2Pb3(AsO4)3(OH)Trig. 3 : P3
8.BN.05'Mimetite-M'Pb5(AsO4)3ClMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.BN.05JohnbaumiteCa5(AsO4)3(OH)Hex. 6/m : P63/m
8.BN.05PliniusiteCa5(VO4)3FHex. 6/m : P63/m
8.BN.05'Hydroxylapatite-M'Ca5(PO4)3OHMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.BN.05HydroxylpyromorphitePb5(PO4)3(OH)Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P63/mcm
8.BN.05Miyahisaite(Sr,Ca)2Ba3(PO4)3F Hex. 6/m : P63/m
8.BN.05Carlgieseckeite-(Nd)NaNdCa3(PO4)3FTrig. 3 : P3
8.BN.05Belovite-(Ce)NaCeSr3(PO4)3FTrig. 3 : P3
8.BN.05Kuannersuite-(Ce)NaCeBa3(PO4)3F0.5Cl0.5Trig. 3 : P3
8.BN.05AlforsiteBa5(PO4)3ClHex. 6/m : P63/m
8.BN.05'Unnamed (OH-analogue of Mimetite)'Pb5(AsO4)3(OH)Hex. 6/m : P63/m
8.BN.05StronadelphiteSr5(PO4)3FHex. 6/m : P63/m
8.BN.05ParafiniukiteCa2Mn3(PO4)3ClHex. 6/m : P63/m
8.BN.05MimetitePb5(AsO4)3ClHex. 6/m : P63/m
8.BN.05 va'Germanate-pyromorphite'Pb5(PO4)2GeO4
8.BN.05Belovite-(La)NaLaSr3(PO4)3FTrig. 3 : P3
8.BN.05FluorphosphohedyphaneCa2Pb3(PO4)3FHex. 6/m : P63/m
8.BN.05FluorstrophiteSrCaSr3(PO4)3FHex. 6/m : P63/m
8.BN.05HydroxylapatiteCa5(PO4)3(OH)Hex. 6/m : P63/m
8.BN.05'Johnbaumite-M'Ca5(AsO4)3OHMon. 2/m : P21/m
8.BN.05PhosphohedyphaneCa2Pb3(PO4)3ClHex. 6/m : P63/m
8.BN.05TurneaureiteCa5(AsO4)3ClHex. 6/m : P63/m
8.BN.05MorelanditeCa2Ba3(AsO4)3ClHex.
8.BN.05'Oxypyromorphite'Pb10(PO4)6O
8.BN.05Deloneite(Na0.5REE0.25Ca0.25)(Ca0.75REE0.25)Sr1.5(CaNa0.25REE0.25)(PO4)3F0.5(OH)0.5Trig. 3 : P3
8.BN.05ChlorapatiteCa5(PO4)3ClHex. 6/m : P63/m
8.BN.05PyromorphitePb5(PO4)3ClHex. 6/m : P63/m
8.BN.05VanackeritePb4Cd(AsO4)3ClTrig. 3 : P3
8.BN.05SvabiteCa5(AsO4)3FHex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P63/mmc
8.BN.10ArctiteNa2Ca4(PO4)3FTrig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
8.BN.10KrügeriteBaCa6(SiO4)2[(P0.5S0.5)O4]2FTrig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
8.BN.15GoryainoviteCa2(PO4)ClOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbcm

Other InformationHide

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 FluoralforsiteHide

References for FluoralforsiteHide

Localities for FluoralforsiteHide

Showing 3 localities.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
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Locality ListHide

- 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). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Israel (TL)
 
  • Southern District
    • Beersheba Subdistrict
      • Tamar Regional Council
Bosi et al. (2023)
Krzątała et al. (2023)
Galuskin et al. (2026)
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