Tomsquarryite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Tomsquarryite
Formula:
NaMgAl3(PO4)2(OH)6 · 8H2O
The type mineral contains considerable F; the empirical formula is Na1.02K0.02Ca0.08Mg1.26Al2.86(PO4)2.00(OH)3.82F2.48 .7.70H2O.
Colour:
Colorless
Specific Gravity:
2.22 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Name:
Named for Tom's quarry, Australia, the type locality.
Closely related, both compositionally and structurally, to elliottite, NaMgAl3(PO4)2F6.9H2O.
Also related to penriceite.
Also related to penriceite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
56116
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:56116:3
IMA Classification of Tomsquarryite
Classification of Tomsquarryite
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
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 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tqy | 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 Tomsquarryite
Colour:
Colorless
Streak:
White
Cleavage:
Perfect
{001}
{001}
Density:
2.22 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Density could not be measured due to lack of material.
Optical Data of Tomsquarryite
Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 1.490(3) nε = 1.497(3)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.007
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.
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
Dispersion:
None observed.
Optical Extinction:
Z ≈ c.
Chemistry of Tomsquarryite
Mindat Formula:
NaMgAl3(PO4)2(OH)6 · 8H2O
The type mineral contains considerable F; the empirical formula is Na1.02K0.02Ca0.08Mg1.26Al2.86(PO4)2.00(OH)3.82F2.48 .7.70H2O.
The type mineral contains considerable F; the empirical formula is Na1.02K0.02Ca0.08Mg1.26Al2.86(PO4)2.00(OH)3.82F2.48 .7.70H2O.
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Tomsquarryite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m (3 2/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral
Space Group:
R3m
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.9865(5) Å, c = 30.634(3) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 4.385
Unit Cell V:
1,294.95 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
3
Morphology:
Pseudohexagonal crystals flattened on {001}. Observed forms include {001}, {100} and {110}.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 10.24 Å | (100) |
| 5.944 Å | (34) |
| 5.643 Å | (32) |
| 5.119 Å | (19) |
| 4.755 Å | (23) |
| 4.312 Å | (10) |
| 3.499 Å | (34) |
| 3.239 Å | (17) |
| 3.015 Å | (26) |
| 2.888 Å | (33) |
| 2.818 Å | (23) |
| 2.557 Å | (16) |
| 2.200 Å | (11) |
| 1.749 Å | (24) |
Type Occurrence of Tomsquarryite
Co-Type Localities:
General Appearance of Type Material:
Thin layers of tomsquarryite and other intimately mixed fine-grained secondary phosphates coat a goethite-clay matrix (Tom's quarry) and a goethite, Mn oxide, muscovite matrix (Penrice quarry) .
Crystals are talc-like platelets with diameters of a few tens of micrometres and thicknesses of only ∼ 1 µm (Penrice quarry) and thicker (∼ 10 µm) pseudohexagonal crystals flattened on {001} (Tom's quarry).
Crystals are talc-like platelets with diameters of a few tens of micrometres and thicknesses of only ∼ 1 µm (Penrice quarry) and thicker (∼ 10 µm) pseudohexagonal crystals flattened on {001} (Tom's quarry).
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
The holotype and cotype specimens from Tom's quarry and the cotype from the Penrice marble quarry are housed in the mineralogical collections of the South Australian Museum, catalogue numbers G35033, G35034 and G35031, respectively.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Phosphorite deposit.
The formation of tomsquarryite at the Penrice quarry is related to the alteration of minyulite, in a near-neutral solution. At Tom's quarry (specimen G35033), formation is thought to involve progressive surface alteration of gordonite, most likely by a dissolution/reprecipitation mechanism in a Na- and F-bearing solution.
The formation of tomsquarryite at the Penrice quarry is related to the alteration of minyulite, in a near-neutral solution. At Tom's quarry (specimen G35033), formation is thought to involve progressive surface alteration of gordonite, most likely by a dissolution/reprecipitation mechanism in a Na- and F-bearing solution.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Tomsquarryite
Other Language Names for Tomsquarryite
Dutch:Tomsquarryiet
German:Tomsquarryit
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 2 photos of Tomsquarryite associated with Penriceite | [Mg(H2O)6][Na(H2O)2Al3(PO4)2F6] · H2O |
| 1 photo of Tomsquarryite associated with Elliottite | NaMgAl3(PO4)2F6 · 9H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.DM. | Elliottite | NaMgAl3(PO4)2F6 · 9H2O |
| 8.DM. | Betpakdalite-FeFe | [Fe3+2 (H2O)15(OH)2Fe3+(H2O)6][Mo8As2Fe3+3O37] |
| 8.DM. | Penriceite | [Mg(H2O)6][Na(H2O)2Al3(PO4)2F6] · H2O |
| 8.DM. | Betpakdalite-CaMg | [Ca2(H2O)17Mg(H2O)6][Mo8As2Fe3+3O36(OH)] |
| 8.DM. | Chinnerite | [Mg(H2O)6]Na(H2O)2Al3(PO4)2F6 |
| 8.DM. | Sarrochite | [Ca4(H2O)38][Mo8P2Fe3+3O37(OH)] |
| 8.DM.05 | Esperanzaite | NaCa2Al2(AsO4)2(OH)F4 · 2H2O |
| 8.DM.05 | Morinite | NaCa2Al2(PO4)2(OH)F4 · 2H2O |
| 8.DM.10 | Alexshubnikovite | Ca2Cu9(AsO4)4(OH)9Cl(H2O)8 · 2H2O |
| 8.DM.10 | Tangdanite | Ca2Cu9(AsO4)4(SO4)0.5(OH)9 · 9H2O |
| 8.DM.10 | Tyrolite | Ca2Cu9(AsO4)4(CO3)(OH)8 · 11H2O |
| 8.DM.15 | Melkovite | [Ca2(H2O)15Ca(H2O)6][Mo8P2Fe3+3O36(OH)] |
| 8.DM.15 | Betpakdalite-NaCa | [Na2(H2O)17Ca(H2O)6][Mo6+8As5+2Fe3+3O34(OH)3] |
| 8.DM.15 | Betpakdalite-CaCa | [Ca2(H2O)17Ca(H2O)6][Mo6+8As5+2Fe3+3O36(OH)] |
| 8.DM.20 | Phosphovanadylite-Ba | Ba[V4+4P2O8(OH)8] · 12H2O |
| 8.DM.20 | Phosphovanadylite-Ca | Ca[V4+4P2O12(OH)4] · 12H2O |
| 8.DM.25 | Yukonite | Ca3Fe3+(AsO4)2(OH)3 · 5H2O |
| 8.DM.30 | Uduminelite | Ca3Al8(PO4)2O12 · 2H2O |
| 8.DM.35 | Aldermanite | [Mg(H2O)6][Na(H2O)2Al3(PO4)2(OH,F)6] · H2O |
| 8.DM.35 | 'Azovskite' | Fe3+3(PO4)(OH)6 or near |
| 8.DM.35 | Delvauxite | CaFe4(PO4,SO4)2(OH)8 · 4-6H2O not confirmed |
| 8.DM.40 | Santafeite | (Na,Ca,Sr)12(Mn2+,Fe3+,Al,Mg)8Mn4+8(VO4)16(OH,O)20 · 8H2O |
| 8.DM.55 | Tapiaite | Ca5Al2(AsO4)4(OH)4 · 12H2O |
| 8.DM.60 | Alcantarillaite | [Fe3+0.5(H2O)4][CaAs3+2(Fe3+2.5W6+0.5)(AsO4)2O7] |
Other Information
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 Tomsquarryite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-56116.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Tomsquarryite
Reference List:
Elliott, Peter, Grey, Ian E., Mumme, William G., MacRae, Colin M., Kampf, Anthony R. (2022) Tomsquarryite, NaMgAl3(PO4)2(OH)6 ⋅ 8H2O, a new crandallite-derivative mineral from Tom's phosphate quarry, Kapunda, South Australia. European Journal of Mineralogy, 34 (4) 375-383 doi:10.5194/ejm-34-375-2022
Localities for Tomsquarryite
Showing 2 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 (TL) | |
| Elliott et al. (2022) |
| Elliott et al. (2022) |
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Tom's Quarry, Koonunga, Light Regional Council, South Australia, Australia