Vote for your favorite mineral in #MinCup26! - Sphalerite vs. Anorthite
Both zinc ore Sphalerite and calcium plagioclase feldspar Anorthite have perfect cleavage that will split cleanly if you hit them with a hammer, but only one can claim a larger split of your votes!
Log InRegister
Quick Links : The Mindat ManualThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryMindat Newsletter [Free Download]
Home PageAbout MindatThe Mindat ManualHistory of MindatCopyright StatusWho We AreContact UsAdvertise on Mindat
Donate to MindatCorporate SponsorshipSponsor a PageSponsored PagesMindat AdvertisersAdvertise on Mindat
Learning CenterWhat is a mineral?The most common minerals on earthInformation for EducatorsMindat ArticlesThe ElementsThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryGeologic TimeExplore Fossils
Minerals by PropertiesMinerals by ChemistryMineral Visual ExplorerAdvanced Locality SearchRandom MineralRandom LocalitySearch by minIDLocalities Near MeSearch ArticlesSearch GlossaryMore Search Options
Search For:
Mineral Name:
Locality Name:
Keyword(s):
 
The Mindat ManualAdd a New PhotoRate PhotosLocality Edit ReportCoordinate Completion ReportAdd Glossary Item
Mining CompaniesStatisticsUsersMineral MuseumsClubs & OrganizationsMineral Shows & EventsThe Mindat DirectoryDevice SettingsThe Mineral QuizTime Machine
Photo SearchPhoto GalleriesSearch by ColorPhoto Colour ExplorerNew Photos TodayNew Photos YesterdayMembers' Photo GalleriesPast Photo of the Day GalleryPhotography

Ellenbergerite-(PO4)

This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
Formula:
(Mg,◻)2(Mg,Al)12(SiO3OH)6(PO3OH)(OH)6
Colour:
cream-red, greenish-blue
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Said to be different from phosphate-poor ellenbergerite and phosphoellenbergerite. It is supposed to have a separate site occupied by phosphorus. It is also optically distinct from the above species. Its structure is said to be solved.

Found as (1) cream-red grains with magnesiostaurolite, pyrope, quartz, rutile, and talc, and (2) greenish-blue crystals in association with "magnesioaluminoceladonite", magnesiostaurolite, pyrope, and talc.

Not given in the Valid Unnamed Minerals list of IMA; not approved by IMA.


Hide all sections | Show all sections

Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
47753
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:47753:6

Similar NamesHide

EllenbergeriteA valid IMA mineral speciesMg6(Mg,Ti,Zr,◻)2(Al,Mg)6Si8O28(OH)10

IMA Classification of Ellenbergerite-(PO4)Hide

IMA status notes:
Published without approval

Physical Properties of Ellenbergerite-(PO4)Hide

Colour:
Cream-red, greenish-blue

Optical Data of Ellenbergerite-(PO4)Hide

Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 1.640(2) nε = 1.644(2)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.004
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.

Surface Relief:
Moderate
Comments:
data for the cream-red grains

Chemistry of Ellenbergerite-(PO4)Hide

Mindat Formula:
(Mg,◻)2(Mg,Al)12(SiO3OH)6(PO3OH)(OH)6
Element Weights:
Element% weight
O49.595 %
Mg31.023 %
Si15.364 %
P2.824 %
H1.195 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.

Crystallography of Ellenbergerite-(PO4)Hide

Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Class (H-M):
6mm - Dihexagonal Pyramidal
Space Group:
P63mc
Setting:
P63mc

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
6.24 Å(60)
4.52 Å(60)
3.63 Å(90)
3.157 Å(100)
2.699 Å(70)
2.369 Å(60)
2.306 Å(60)
2.212 Å(80)
1.801 Å(60)
1.552 Å(70)
Comments:
data for the cream-red grains

Other InformationHide

IR Spectrum:
data for the greenish-blue crystals in brackets, [cm-1]: 3575w (3570w), 3470 (3420), 3300sh, 1415w (1420), 1195 (1190sh), 1135, 1050 (1040s), 950sh, 925s (917), 800, (768), 700w, 630sh, 586 (590), 505sh (510sh), (467s), 472s, 400
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 Ellenbergerite-(PO4)Hide

References for Ellenbergerite-(PO4)Hide

Localities for Ellenbergerite-(PO4)Hide

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.

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.
Italy
 
  • Piedmont
    • Cuneo Province
Chukanov (2014)
Quick NavTopUnique IdentifiersSimilar NamesIMA Classification Physical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography X-Ray Powder DiffractionOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
 
and/or  
Mindat.org® is an outreach project of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Mindat® and mindat.org® are registered trademarks of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy.
Copyright © mindat.org and the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy 1993-2026, except where stated. Most political location boundaries are © OpenStreetMap contributors. Mindat.org relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Founded in 2000 by Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau.
Content on this site may not be used to train, fine-tune, or otherwise develop artificial intelligence or machine learning models without prior written permission - see our Terms & Conditions.
To cite: Ralph, J., Von Bargen, D., Martynov, P., Zhang, J., Que, X., Prabhu, A., Morrison, S. M., Li, W., Chen, W., & Ma, X. (2025). Mindat.org: The open access mineralogy database to accelerate data-intensive geoscience research. American Mineralogist, 110(6), 833–844. doi:10.2138/am-2024-9486.
Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: September 3, 2026 12:17:34 Page updated: December 31, 2025 12:30:20
Go to top of page