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Fanfaniite

A valid IMA mineral species
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07087110017272473165615.jpg
Fanfaniite

Pegmatite field, Argelès-sur-Mer, Céret, Pyrénées-Orientales, Occitanie, France
01769200017361052715740.jpg
Fanfaniite

Pegmatite at altitude 560 m, Pegmatite field, Argelès-sur-Mer, Céret, Pyrénées-Orientales, Occitanie, France
09844840017361052718945.jpg
Fanfaniite

Pegmatite field, Argelès-sur-Mer, Céret, Pyrénées-Orientales, Occitanie, France
05694840017867017892772.jpg
Fanfaniite

Pegmatite field, Argelès-sur-Mer, Céret, Pyrénées-Orientales, Occitanie, France
07078710017272076575709.jpg
Fanfaniite

Pegmatite at altitude 560 m, Pegmatite field, Argelès-sur-Mer, Céret, Pyrénées-Orientales, Occitanie, France
09844840017361052718945.jpg
Fanfaniite

Pegmatite field, Argelès-sur-Mer, Céret, Pyrénées-Orientales, Occitanie, France
07087110017272473165615.jpg
Fanfaniite

Pegmatite field, Argelès-sur-Mer, Céret, Pyrénées-Orientales, Occitanie, France
07078710017272076575709.jpg
Fanfaniite

Pegmatite at altitude 560 m, Pegmatite field, Argelès-sur-Mer, Céret, Pyrénées-Orientales, Occitanie, France
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About FanfaniiteHide

05025450017272473176551.jpg
Luca Fanfani
Formula:
Ca4Mn2+Al4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 12H2O
Colour:
colorless
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
The name honours Luca Fanfani (b. 1941, Florence, Italy), Mineralogical Institute, University of Cagliari, Italy, who structurally characterised a large number of phosphate minerals including montgomeryite.
Mn analogue of kingsmountite and montgomeryite; Al analogue of zodacite.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
53148
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:53148:1

IMA Classification of FanfaniiteHide

Classification of FanfaniiteHide

Strunz-mindat (2026):
8.DH.25

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
H : With large and medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 < 1:1

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

Physical Properties of FanfaniiteHide

Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colorless

Optical Data of FanfaniiteHide

Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.573(2) nβ = 1.582(2) nγ = 1.585(2)
2V:
Measured: 57° (1)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.012
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 (positive)
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.
Pleochroism:
Not Visible

Chemistry of FanfaniiteHide

Mindat Formula:
Ca4Mn2+Al4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 12H2O
Element Weights:
Element% weight
O54.364 %
P15.787 %
Ca13.618 %
Al9.168 %
Mn4.667 %
H2.397 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
O
P
Ca
Al
Mn
H
Elements listed:
Al, Ca, H, Mn, O, P - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of FanfaniiteHide

Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/b
Setting:
C2/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.055(2) Å, b = 24.132(5) Å, c = 6.2590(10) Å
β = 91.35(3)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.417 : 1 : 0.259
Unit Cell V:
1,518.31 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Comment:
updated from specimen from Hühnerkobel pegmatite, may be triclinic

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks>3.0
34 : Complex granite pegmatites

Type Occurrence of FanfaniiteHide

Type Locality:
ⓘ Foote Lithium Co. Mine, Kings Mountain, Cleveland County, North Carolina, USA
General Appearance of Type Material:
Radial aggregates up to 0.5 mm in diameter of colourless, transparent, thin blades, associated with whiteite-(CaMnMn). At Hagendorf-Süd, the mineral occurs as isolated very thin laths on the surface of fibrous spheroids of kayrobertsonite.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
1) Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90007, USA, catalogue numbers 66771 (Foote mine holotype) and 66772 (Foote mine cotype)
2) Museum Victoria, Australia
Geological Setting of Type Material:
oxidation of pegmatite phosphates.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
KayrobertsoniteTripliteWhiteite-(CaMnMn)Zwieselite
Reference:
Grey, Ian E., Kampf, Anthony R., Smith, Jason B., MacRae, Colin M., Keck, Erich (2019) Fanfaniite, Ca4Mn2+Al4(PO4)6(OH,F)4·12H2O, a new mineral with a montgomeryite-type structure. European Journal of Mineralogy, 31 (3) 647-652 doi:10.1127/ejm/2019/0031-2857

Synonyms of FanfaniiteHide

Other Language Names for FanfaniiteHide

German:Fanfaniit

Relationship of Fanfaniite to other SpeciesHide

Member of:
Montgomeryite Subgroup > Calcioferrite Group
Other Members of Montgomeryite Subgroup:
KingsmountiteCa3Mn2+FeAl4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 12H2OTric. 1 : P1
MontgomeryiteCa4MgAl4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 12H2OMon. 2 : B2

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

8.DH.Thebaite-(NH4)(NH4)3Al(C2O4)(PO3OH)2(H2O)Mon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DH.Whiteite-(MnMnMn)Mn2+Mn2+Mn2+2Al2(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DH.Ammoniotinsleyite(NH4)Al2(PO4)2(OH) · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/m
8.DH.Bergbauerite(H2O)2Mn2(Fe2Ti)(PO4)4(OH)2(H2O)10 · 4H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbca
8.DH.Dendoraite-(NH4)(NH4)2NaAl(C2O4)(PO3OH)2(H2O)2Mon. 2/m
8.DH.Rowleyite[Na(NH4,K)9Cl4][V5+,4+2(P,As)O8]6 · n[H2O,Na,NH4,K,Cl]Iso.
8.DH.HochleitneriteMn2Ti3(PO4)4O2(H2O)2 · 14H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbca
8.DH.Whiteite-(CaMnFe)CaMnFe2Al2(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m
8.DH.05MinyuliteKAl2(PO4)2F · 4H2OOrth. mm2 : Pba2
8.DH.10LeucophosphiteKFe3+2(PO4)2(OH) · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DH.10TinsleyiteKAl2(PO4)2(OH) · 2H2OMon.
8.DH.10Spheniscidite(NH4,K)(Fe3+,Al)2(PO4)2(OH) · 2H2OMon. 2/m
8.DH.15Jahnsite-(CaMnFe){Ca}{Mn2+}{Fe2+2}{Fe3+2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DH.15Jahnsite-(NaMnMn){Na}{Mn2+}{(Mn2+,Fe3+)2}{Fe3+2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DH.15Jahnsite-(CaMnMg){Ca}{Mn2+}{(Mg,Fe2+)2}{Fe3+2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DH.15Jahnsite-(CaMnMn){Ca}{Mn2+}{Mn2+2}{Fe3+2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DH.15Whiteite-(MnMnMg)MnMnMg2Al2(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DH.15Jahnsite-(CaMnZn){Ca}{Mn2+}{Zn2}{Fe3+2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DH.15Jahnsite-(MnMnMg){Mn2+}{Mn2+}{Mg2}{Fe3+2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DH.15Jahnsite-(MnMnFe){Mn2+}{Mn2+}{Fe2+2}{Fe3+2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DH.15'Jahnsite-(CaFeFe)'{Ca}{Fe2+}{Fe2+2}{Fe3+2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon.
8.DH.15Rittmannite{(Mn2+,Ca)}{Mn2+}{(Fe2+,Mn2+,Mg)2}{(Al,Fe3+)2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DH.15KeckiteCaMn2+(Fe3+Mn2+)Fe3+2(PO4)4(OH)3 · 7H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DH.15Jahnsite-(NaMnMg){(Na,Ca)}{(Mn2+,Fe3+)}{(Mg,Fe3+)2}{Fe3+2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DH.15'Jahnsite-(CaMgMg)'{Ca}{Mg}{Mg2}{Fe3+2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2O
8.DH.15Jahnsite-(MnMnZn){Mn2+}{Mn2+}{Zn2}{Fe3+2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DH.15Whiteite-(CaMgMg)CaMg3Al2(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DH.15Whiteite-(CaFeMg){Ca}{(Fe2+,Mn2+)}{Mg2}{Al2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DH.15Whiteite-(CaMnMg){Ca}{Mn2+}{Mg2}{Al2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m
8.DH.15Whiteite-(MnFeMg){(Mn2+,Ca)}{(Fe2+,Mn2+)}{Mg2}{Al2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DH.15Jahnsite-(MnMnMn){Mn2+}{Mn2+}{Mn2+2}{Fe3+2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DH.15'Kaluginite'(Mn2+,Ca)MgFe3+(PO4)2(OH) · 4H2OOrth.
8.DH.15Jahnsite-(CaFeMg){Ca}{Fe2+}{Mg2}{Fe3+2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DH.15Whiteite-(CaMnMn){Ca}{Mn2+}{Mn2}{Al2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DH.15Jahnsite-(NaFeMg){Na}{Fe3+}{Mg2}{Fe3+2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DH.20SegeleriteCa2 Mg2 Fe3+2(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pcca
8.DH.20Lun'okite(Mn,Ca)(Mg,Fe,Mn)Al(PO4)2OH · 4H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbca
8.DH.20Manganosegelerite(Mn2+,Ca)(Mn2+,Fe2+,Mg)Fe3+(PO4)2(OH) · 4H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbca
8.DH.20WilhelmvierlingiteCaMnFe3+(PO4)2(OH) · 2H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbca
8.DH.20JuonniiteCaMgSc(PO4)2(OH) · 4H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbca
8.DH.20OveriteCaMgAl(PO4)2(OH) · 4H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbca
8.DH.25CalcioferriteCa4MgFe3+4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 12H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
8.DH.25ZodaciteCa4Mn2+Fe3+4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 12H2OMon.
8.DH.25KingsmountiteCa3Mn2+FeAl4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 12H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DH.25MontgomeryiteCa4MgAl4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 12H2OMon. 2 : B2
8.DH.30PararobertsiteCa2Mn3+3(PO4)3O2 · 3H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DH.30RobertsiteCa2Mn3+3(PO4)3O2 · 3H2OMon. m : Bb
8.DH.30ArseniosideriteCa2Fe3+3(AsO4)3O2 · 3H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
8.DH.30Sailaufite(Ca,Na,◻)2Mn3+3(AsO4)2(CO3)O2 · 3H2OMon. m : Bm
8.DH.30MitridatiteCa2Fe3+3(PO4)3O2 · 3H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
8.DH.30KolfaniteCa2Fe3+3O2(AsO4)3 · 2H2OMon.
8.DH.35MantienneiteKMg2Al2Ti(PO4)4(OH)3 · 15H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbca
8.DH.35Sperlingite (H2O)K(Mn2+Fe3+)(Al2Ti)(PO4)4[O(OH)] [(H2O)9(OH)] · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DH.35PaulkerriteK(Mg,Mn2+)2(Fe3+,Al,Ti,Mg)2Ti(PO4)4(OH)3 · 15H2OMon. m
8.DH.35Hydroxylbenyacarite(H2O)2Mn2(Ti2Fe)(PO4)4[O(OH)](H2O)10 · 4H2O Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbca
8.DH.35MacraeiteK(H2O)Mn2(Fe2Ti)(PO4)4[O(OH)](H2O)10 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DH.35Benyacarite(H2O)2Mn2Ti2Fe3+(PO4)4(OF)(H2O)10 · 4H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbca
8.DH.35Fluormacraeite [(H2O)K]Mn2(Fe2Ti)(PO4)4(OF)(H2O)10 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DH.40XanthoxeniteCa4Fe3+2(PO4)4(OH)2 · 3H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DH.45MahnertiteNaCu3(AsO4)2Cl · 5H2OTet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I4/mmm
8.DH.50AndyrobertsiteKCdCu5(AsO4)4(H2AsO4) · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/m
8.DH.50CalcioandyrobertsiteKCaCu5(AsO4)4(H2AsO4) · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/m
8.DH.55EnglishiteK3Na2Ca10Al15(PO4)21(OH)7 · 26H2OMon. 2/m
8.DH.60BouazzeriteBi6(Mg,Co)11Fe3+14(AsO4)18(OH)4O12 · 86H2OMon. 2/m
8.DH.65GalliskiiteCa4Al2(PO4)2F8 · 5H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DH.70JoteiteCa2CuAl(AsO4)[AsO3(OH)]2(OH)2 · 5H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DH.75KampeliteBa6Mg3Sc8(PO4)12(OH)6 · 7H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
8.DH.80KapundaiteNaCaFe4(PO4)4(OH)3 · 5H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DH.85VaniniiteCa2Mn2+3Mn3+2O2(AsO4)4 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b

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 FanfaniiteHide

References for FanfaniiteHide

Localities for FanfaniiteHide

Showing 6 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.
France
 
  • Occitanie
    • Pyrénées-Orientales
      • Céret
        • Argelès-sur-Mer
ROATTINO. T et al. (2019)
Roattino et al. (2019)
Germany
 
  • Bavaria
    • Lower Bavaria
      • Regen District
        • Zwiesel
          • Rabenstein
Grey et al. (2026)
    • Upper Palatinate
      • Neustadt an der Waldnaab District
        • Waidhaus
          • Hagendorf
Essefi (2020)
Spain
 
  • Castile and Leon
    • Salamanca
      • Garcirrey
Calvo Rebollar et al. (2022)
USA (TL)
 
  • North Carolina
    • Cleveland County
      • Kings Mountain
Hålenius et al. (2018) +1 other reference
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