Vote for your favorite mineral in #MinCup26! - Azurite vs. Smithsonite
It's carbonate-vs-carbonate to kick off Mineral Cup 2026 with copper-rich Azurite against zinc-rich Smithsonite.
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

Penriceite

A valid IMA mineral species
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
Hide all sections | Show all sections

About PenriceiteHide

Formula:
[Mg(H2O)6][Na(H2O)2Al3(PO4)2F6] · H2O
simplified formula: NaMgAl3(PO4)2F6(H2O)9
Specific Gravity:
2.12 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Isostructural with:
The F analogue of aldermanite. Co-described with the related elliottite. Also related to tomsquarryite.
Compare also fluorcarmoite-(BaNa).

The structure is formed via periodic unit-cell-scale twinning of the structure of elliottite.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
55685
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:55685:1

Similar NamesHide

PenroseiteA valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered(Ni,Co,Cu)Se2

IMA Classification of PenriceiteHide

Approved
IMA Formula:
[Mg(H2O)6][Na(H2O)2Al3(PO4)2F6]·H2O

Classification of PenriceiteHide

8.DM.

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
M : With large and medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 > 2:1

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

Physical Properties of PenriceiteHide

Density:
2.12 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of PenriceiteHide

Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.502(2) nβ = 1.503(2) nγ = 1.58(5)
2V:
Measured: 10° to 20°
Birefringence:
nγ was not measured in the type material, but is estimated here as derived from the 2V° measurement.

The birefringence is subsequently calculated from this estimated nγ, and so should be considered as estimate as well.
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.078
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
Comments:
nγ not determined due to extreme thinness of the crystals; orientation: X = b, Y ≈ c, Z ≈ a*

An estimate of nγ is calculated here from the observations of B(+) and 2V° = 10°-20°.

Chemistry of PenriceiteHide

Mindat Formula:
[Mg(H2O)6][Na(H2O)2Al3(PO4)2F6] · H2O

simplified formula: NaMgAl3(PO4)2F6(H2O)9
Element Weights:
Element% weight
O45.766 %
F19.180 %
Al13.620 %
P10.423 %
Mg4.090 %
Na3.868 %
H3.053 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.

Crystallography of PenriceiteHide

Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Setting:
P21/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 13.478(3) Å, b = 9.971(2) Å, c = 6.999(1) Å
β = 97.20(3)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.352 : 1 : 0.702
Unit Cell V:
933.17 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
13.39 Å(100)
8.00 Å(30)
5.718 Å(12)
5.562 Å(26)
3.284 Å(4)
3.004 Å(5)
2.855 Å(16)
2.782 Å(15)

Type Occurrence of PenriceiteHide

General Appearance of Type Material:
platy crystals, up to 100 μm in diameter and 1-2 μm thick, forming rod-like aggregates
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
mineralogical collections of (1) the Museum of South Australia, North Terrace, Adelaide 5000, South Australia, Australia, catalogue number G32227 (holotype), and (2) the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90007, USA, catalogue number 76158 (cotype)
Geological Setting of Type Material:
marbles; a secondary phase
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Other Language Names for PenriceiteHide

German:Penriceit

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
2 photos of Penriceite associated with TomsquarryiteNaMgAl3(PO4)2(OH)6 · 8H2O
1 photo of Penriceite associated with ElliottiteNaMgAl3(PO4)2F6 · 9H2O

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

8.DM.TomsquarryiteNaMgAl3(PO4)2(OH)6 · 8H2OTrig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
8.DM.ElliottiteNaMgAl3(PO4)2F6 · 9H2OMon. 2/m : B2/m
8.DM.Betpakdalite-FeFe[Fe3+2 (H2O)15(OH)2Fe3+(H2O)6][Mo8As2Fe3+3O37]Mon. 2/m : B2/m
8.DM.Betpakdalite-CaMg[Ca2(H2O)17Mg(H2O)6][Mo8As2Fe3+3O36(OH)] Mon. 2/m : B2/m
8.DM.Chinnerite[Mg(H2O)6]Na(H2O)2Al3(PO4)2F6Mon. 2/m : P2/m
8.DM.Sarrochite[Ca4(H2O)38][Mo8P2Fe3+3O37(OH)]Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1
8.DM.05EsperanzaiteNaCa2Al2(AsO4)2(OH)F4 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/m
8.DM.05MoriniteNaCa2Al2(PO4)2(OH)F4 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/m
8.DM.10AlexshubnikoviteCa2Cu9(AsO4)4(OH)9Cl(H2O)8 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DM.10TangdaniteCa2Cu9(AsO4)4(SO4)0.5(OH)9 · 9H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
8.DM.10TyroliteCa2Cu9(AsO4)4(CO3)(OH)8 · 11H2OMon. 2/m
8.DM.15Melkovite[Ca2(H2O)15Ca(H2O)6][Mo8P2Fe3+3O36(OH)]Mon. 2/m : B2/m
8.DM.15Betpakdalite-NaCa[Na2(H2O)17Ca(H2O)6][Mo6+8As5+2Fe3+3O34(OH)3]Mon. 2/m : B2/m
8.DM.15Betpakdalite-CaCa[Ca2(H2O)17Ca(H2O)6][Mo6+8As5+2Fe3+3O36(OH)]Mon. 2/m : B2/m
8.DM.20Phosphovanadylite-BaBa[V4+4P2O8(OH)8] · 12H2OIso. 43m : I43m
8.DM.20Phosphovanadylite-CaCa[V4+4P2O12(OH)4] · 12H2O Iso. 43m : I43m
8.DM.25YukoniteCa3Fe3+(AsO4)2(OH)3 · 5H2OOrth. mm2
8.DM.30UdumineliteCa3Al8(PO4)2O12 · 2H2O
8.DM.35Aldermanite[Mg(H2O)6][Na(H2O)2Al3(PO4)2(OH,F)6] · H2O Mon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DM.35'Azovskite'Fe3+3(PO4)(OH)6 or near
8.DM.35DelvauxiteCaFe4(PO4,SO4)2(OH)8 · 4-6H2O not confirmedAmor.
8.DM.40Santafeite(Na,Ca,Sr)12(Mn2+,Fe3+,Al,Mg)8Mn4+8(VO4)16(OH,O)20 · 8H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
8.DM.55TapiaiteCa5Al2(AsO4)4(OH)4 · 12H2OMon.
8.DM.60Alcantarillaite[Fe3+0.5(H2O)4][CaAs3+2(Fe3+2.5W6+0.5)(AsO4)2O7]Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Imma

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 PenriceiteHide

References for PenriceiteHide

Localities for PenriceiteHide

Showing 2 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.
Hide all sections | Show all sections

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.
Australia (TL)
 
  • South Australia
    • Barossa Council
      • Penrice
Miyawaki et al. (2021) +1 other reference
    • Light Regional Council
      • Koonunga
Elliott et al. (2022)
 
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 1, 2026 18:32:58 Page updated: August 19, 2026 09:40:44
Go to top of page