Ercitite
A valid IMA mineral species
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Formula:
Na2Mn3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2O
Colour:
Pale brown, dark brown to black in aggregates
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3 - 4
Specific Gravity:
2.77 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named in honor of T. Scott Ercit (1957-), Canadian mineralogist and crystallographer.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
7101
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:7101:3
Similar Names
IMA Classification of Ercitite
Approved
IMA Formula:
NaMn3+PO4(OH)·2H2O
Approval year:
1999
Type description reference:
Fransolet, Andre-Mathieu, Cooper, Mark A., Černý, Petr, Hawthorne, Frank C., Chapman, Ron, Grice, Joel D. (2000) The Tanco Pegmatite at Bernic Lake, southeastern Manitoba. XV. Ercitite, NaMn3+PO4(OH)(H2O)2, a new phosphate species. The Canadian Mineralogist, 38 (4) 893-898 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.38.4.893
Classification of Ercitite
8.DJ.35
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
J : With large and medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 = 1:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
J : With large and medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 = 1:1
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Erc | 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 Ercitite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Pale brown, dark brown to black in aggregates
Streak:
Beige
Hardness:
3 - 4 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Very Good
parallel {100} and {001}
parallel {100} and {001}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
2.77 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Ercitite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.699 nβ = 1.715 nγ = 1.737
2V:
Measured: 86° , Calculated: 82°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.038
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
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.
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.
Dispersion:
relatively strong
Pleochroism:
Strong
Comments:
X = yellowish green, Y = yellowish brown, Z = dark brown.
Chemistry of Ercitite
Mindat Formula:
Na2Mn3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Ercitite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Cmca
Setting:
Cmca
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.2499(6) Å, b = 8.7479(9) Å, c = 19.9554(17) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.714 : 1 : 2.281
Unit Cell V:
1,091.03 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
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Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0006278 | Ercitite | Cooper M A, Hawthorne F C, Cerny P (2009) The crystal structure of ercitite, Na2(H2O)4[Mn3+2(OH)2(PO4)2], and its relation to bermanite, Mn2+(H2O)4[Mn3+2(OH)2(PO4)2] The Canadian Mineralogist 47 173-180 |  | 2009 | Tanco granitic pegmatite, Bernic Lake, southeastern Manitoba, Canada | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 9.9 Å | (100) |
| 2.644 Å | (80) |
| 3.273 Å | (60) |
| 3.126 Å | (60) |
| 4.92 Å | (50) |
| 2.542 Å | (40) |
| 2.376 Å | (40) |
Reference:
Fransolet, Andre-Mathieu, Cooper, Mark A., Černý, Petr, Hawthorne, Frank C., Chapman, Ron, Grice, Joel D. (2000) The Tanco Pegmatite at Bernic Lake, southeastern Manitoba. XV. Ercitite, NaMn3+PO4(OH)(H2O)2, a new phosphate species. The Canadian Mineralogist, 38 (4) 893-898 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.38.4.893
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] | |
| 47e : [Vanadates, chromates, manganates] |
Type Occurrence of Ercitite
General Appearance of Type Material:
lath-like crystals
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (CMNMC82944).
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Fransolet, Andre-Mathieu, Cooper, Mark A., Černý, Petr, Hawthorne, Frank C., Chapman, Ron, Grice, Joel D. (2000) The Tanco Pegmatite at Bernic Lake, southeastern Manitoba. XV. Ercitite, NaMn3+PO4(OH)(H2O)2, a new phosphate species. The Canadian Mineralogist, 38 (4) 893-898 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.38.4.893
Synonyms of Ercitite
Other Language Names for Ercitite
Common Associates
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.DJ.05 | Johnwalkite | K(Mn2+,Fe2+,Fe3+)2(Nb5+,Ta5+)(PO4)2O2 · 2(H2O,OH) |
| 8.DJ.05 | Olmsteadite | KFe2+2(Nb5+,Ta5+)(PO4)2O2 · 2H2O |
| 8.DJ.10 | Gatumbaite | CaAl2(PO4)2(OH)2 · H2O |
| 8.DJ.15 | Camgasite | CaMg(AsO4)(OH) · 5H2O |
| 8.DJ.20 | Meurigite-K | KFe3+8(PO4)6(OH)7 · 6.5H2O |
| 8.DJ.20 | Phosphofibrite | (H2O,K)3.5Fe8(PO4)6(OH)7 · 5H2O |
| 8.DJ.20 | Meurigite-Na | NaFe3+8(PO4)6(OH)7 · 6.5H2O |
| 8.DJ.25 | Jungite | Ca2Zn4Fe3+8(PO4)9(OH)9 · 16H2O |
| 8.DJ.30 | Wycheproofite | NaAlZr(PO4)2(OH) · H2O |
| 8.DJ.40 | Mrázekite | Bi2Cu3(PO4)2O2(OH)2 · H2O |
| 8.DJ.45 | Attikaite | Ca3Cu2Al2(AsO4)4(OH)4 · 2H2O |
| 8.DJ.50 | Mengeite | Ba(Mg,Mn2+)Mn3+4(PO4)4(OH)4 · 4H2O |
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 Ercitite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-7101.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Ercitite
Reference List:
Fransolet, Andre-Mathieu, Cooper, Mark A., Černý, Petr, Hawthorne, Frank C., Chapman, Ron, Grice, Joel D. (2000) The Tanco Pegmatite at Bernic Lake, southeastern Manitoba. XV. Ercitite, NaMn3+PO4(OH)(H2O)2, a new phosphate species. The Canadian Mineralogist, 38 (4) 893-898 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.38.4.893
Localities for Ercitite
Showing 1 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.
Canada (TL) | |
| Fransolet et al. (2000) +1 other reference |
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