Gatehouseite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Gatehouseite
Bryan M. K. C. Gatehouse
Formula:
Mn2+5(PO4)2(OH)4
Colour:
Pale yellow. Occasionally light reddish orange to light reddish brown and may be confused with arsenoclasite.
Lustre:
Adamantine, Sub-Adamantine, Greasy
Hardness:
4
Specific Gravity:
3.74 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named in 1993 by Alan Pring and William. D. Birch in honor of Dr. Bryan Michael Kenneth Cummings Gatehouse (3 January 1932 - 18 September 2014), crystal chemist who contributed to the understanding of oxides and oxysalts, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
Often in rounded crystal aggregates or in divergent crystal clusters. Isostructural with its arsenate analogue arsenoclasite and aggregates to 5 mm may be overgrown on arsenoclasite. Although gatehouseite is the phosphorus analog of arsenoclasite and occurs together or in close association with it, arsenoclasite is usually the more conspicuous mineral. Gatehouseite frequently occurs as pale-yellow gemmy rod-like crystals that are usually smaller than the red to red-brown arsenoclasite. The arsenoclasite is frequently somewhat blocky to wedge-shaped and is often ten or more times larger than gatehouseite, suggesting a different phase of growth. Caution is advised in sight identifying gatehouseite as gatehouseite occurs as somewhat bladed crystals. Arsenoclasite without gatehouseite present has been distributed as only gatehouseite.
An Unnamed (Fe2+ analogue of Gatehouseite) was described by Calin et al. (2014).
An Unnamed (Fe2+ analogue of Gatehouseite) was described by Calin et al. (2014).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
6966
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:6966:9
IMA Classification of Gatehouseite
Classification of Gatehouseite
8.BD.10
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
D : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4= 2:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
D : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4= 2:1
41.4.1.2
41 : ANHYDROUS PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
4 : (AB)5(XO4)2Zq
41 : ANHYDROUS PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
4 : (AB)5(XO4)2Zq
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ghs | 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 Gatehouseite
Adamantine, Sub-Adamantine, Greasy
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Pale yellow. Occasionally light reddish orange to light reddish brown and may be confused with arsenoclasite.
Comment:
Usually a shade of yellow and not red.
Streak:
Pale yellow
Hardness:
4 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
{010}
{010}
Fracture:
Splintery
Density:
3.74 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
3.85 for the empirical formula
Optical Data of Gatehouseite
Type:
Biaxial (+/-)
RI values:
nα = 1.741 nβ = 1.75 nγ = 1.761
Birefringence:
0.020
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.020
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. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
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:
Very High (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
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
Dispersion:
r > v moderate
Optical Extinction:
Parallel, length slow
Pleochroism:
Strong
Comments:
Brown to colorless
Chemistry of Gatehouseite
Mindat Formula:
Mn2+5(PO4)2(OH)4
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Fe,Cu,Zn,Pb,Al,V,As,H2O
Crystallography of Gatehouseite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
222 - Disphenoidal
Space Group:
P212121
Setting:
P212121
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.097 Å, b = 5.693 Å, c = 18.002 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.598 : 1 : 3.162
Unit Cell V:
932.31 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Isolated crystals are rare, originally less than 100 microns long. Bladed crystals show c {001}. m {110}, and n {102}. Also in radiating to divergent groups.
Twinning:
On {001}, contact twins.
Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0018567 | Gatehouseite | Elliott P, Pring A (2011) The crystal structure of gatehouseite Mineralogical Magazine 75 2823-2832 | 2011 | Iron Monarch quarry, Iron Knob, South Australia, Australia | 0 | 293 | |
| 0012684 | Gatehouseite | Ruszala F A, Anderson J B, Kostiner E (1977) Crystal structures of two isomorphs of arsenoclasite: Co5(PO4)2(OH)4 and Mn5(PO4)2(OH)4 Inorganic Chemistry 16 2417-2422 | 1977 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.483 Å | (10) |
| 4.034 Å | (10) |
| 3.540 Å | (5) |
| 2.900 Å | (100) |
| 2.853 Å | (70) |
| 2.802 Å | (50) |
| 2.702 Å | (80) |
| 2.586 Å | (5) |
| 2.291 Å | (10) |
| 2.265 Å | (10) |
| 2.186 Å | (5) |
| 2.022 Å | (15) |
| 2.014 Å | (10) |
| 1.784 Å | (5) |
| 1.767 Å | (2) |
| 1.722 Å | (10) |
| 1.709 Å | (10) |
| 1.699 Å | (10) |
| 1.608 Å | (15) |
Comments:
Pring and Birch (1993)
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 22 : Hydration and low-? subsurface aqueous alteration (see also #23) |
Type Occurrence of Gatehouseite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Radiating to divergent groups of individual blade-like crystals up to 100 x 20 x 5 µm . Also occurs as overgrowths on arsenoclasite crystals up to 5 mm in length.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
South Australian Museum, Adelaide, Australia, G17655.
Museum Victoria, Melbourne, Australia, M41982, M42467.
Museum Victoria, Melbourne, Australia, M41982, M42467.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
A secondary mineral. The deposit is a sedimentary iron ore deposit of Precambrian age, containing pods of manganese and small amounts of zinc and phosphorous. Weathering mobilized mobilized those elements, depositing secondary minerals in fractures and cavities.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Gatehouseite
Other Language Names for Gatehouseite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 4 photos of Gatehouseite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 2 photos of Gatehouseite associated with Hausmannite | Mn2+Mn3+2O4 |
| 2 photos of Gatehouseite associated with Baryte | BaSO4 |
| 2 photos of Gatehouseite associated with Shigaite | Mn6Al3(OH)18[Na(H2O)6](SO4)2 · 6H2O |
| 1 photo of Gatehouseite associated with Rhodochrosite | MnCO3 |
| 1 photo of Gatehouseite associated with Arsenoclasite | Mn2+5(AsO4)2(OH)4 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.BD. | Antipovite | Cu5O2(PO4)2 |
| 8.BD.05 | Reichenbachite | Cu5(PO4)2(OH)4 |
| 8.BD.05 | Cornwallite | Cu5(AsO4)2(OH)4 |
| 8.BD.05 | Pseudomalachite | Cu5(PO4)2(OH)4 |
| 8.BD.10 | Arsenoclasite | Mn2+5(AsO4)2(OH)4 |
| 8.BD.15 | Parwelite | Mn10Sb2As2Si2O24 |
| 8.BD.20 | Reppiaite | Mn2+5(VO4)2(OH)4 |
| 8.BD.25 | Ludjibaite | Cu5(PO4)2(OH)4 |
| 8.BD.30 | Cornubite | Cu5(AsO4)2(OH)4 |
Fluorescence of Gatehouseite
Not fluorescent in UV
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 Gatehouseite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-6966.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Gatehouseite
Reference List:
Ruszala, F. A., Anderson, J. B., Kostiner, E. (1977) Crystal structures of two isomorphs of arsenoclasite: Co5(PO4)2(OH)4 and Mn5(PO4)2(OH)4. Inorganic Chemistry, 16 (9) 2417-2422 doi:10.1021/ic50175a051
Pring, A., Birch, W. D. (1993) Gatehouseite, a new manganese hydroxy phosphate from Iron Monarch, South Australia. Mineralogical Magazine, 57 (387) 309-313 doi:10.1180/minmag.1993.057.387.13
Localities for Gatehouseite
Showing 4 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) | |
| Pring et al. (1993) +2 other references |
Romania | |
| CĂLIN et al. (2019) +1 other reference |
South Africa | |
| Personally communication between Bruce ... |
Spain | |
| Dill et al. (2023) |
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Iron Monarch Main Pit, Iron Knob, Pastoral Unincorporated Area, South Australia, Australia