Philolithite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Philolithite
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Formula:
Pb12Mn2+(Mg,Mn2+)2(Mn2+,Mg)4(CO3)4(SO4)O6(OH)12Cl4
Colour:
Pale to medium apple-green
Lustre:
Adamantine
Hardness:
3 - 4
Specific Gravity:
5.91 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Name:
The name philolithite (pronounced fĭ-lō lĭ-thīt), was suggested by collector Kay Robertson of California. It is derived from the Greek φίλος (philos = loving, friendly toward) and λίθος (lithos = stone), "in honor of the Friends of Mineralogy, Inc. and in recognition of the friends and lovers of minerals everywhere who enthusiastically and with great zeal offer (and give) their help to the mineralogical community."
This page provides mineralogical data about Philolithite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
7230
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:7230:0
IMA Classification of Philolithite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Pb2+12O6Mn2+7(S6+O4)(CO3)4Cl4(OH)12
Approval year:
1996
First published:
1998
Classification of Philolithite
5.BF.35
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
B : Carbonates with additional anions, without H2O
F : With (Cl), SO4, PO4, TeO3
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
B : Carbonates with additional anions, without H2O
F : With (Cl), SO4, PO4, TeO3
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Phi | 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 Philolithite
Adamantine
Colour:
Pale to medium apple-green
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3 - 4 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
5.91 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Philolithite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.92 nβ = 1.94 nγ = 1.95
2V:
Measured: 60°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.030
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:
none
Optical Extinction:
X ∧ a = 45; Z = c.
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
Very weak, pale green to yellow-green.
Chemistry of Philolithite
Mindat Formula:
Pb12Mn2+(Mg,Mn2+)2(Mn2+,Mg)4(CO3)4(SO4)O6(OH)12Cl4
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Philolithite
Crystal System:
Tetragonal
Class (H-M):
4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) - Ditetragonal Dipyramidal
Cell Parameters:
a = 12.627(9) Å, c = 12.595(9) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.997
Unit Cell V:
2,008.16 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Simple tetragonal tablets dominated by the forms {001} and {111}. Likely also {110} and {112}.
Twinning:
Sector twinning about the c-axis.
Comment:
Space group P42/nnm
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
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0002461 | Philolithite | Moore P B, Kampf A R, Sen Gupta P K (2000) The crystal structure of philolithite, a trellis-like open framework based on cubic closest-packing of anions American Mineralogist 85 810-816 |  | 2000 | Langban mines, Filipstad district, Varmland, Sweden | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 8.95 Å | (20) |
| 7.30 Å | (20) |
| 3.99 Å | (30) |
| 2.975 Å | (100) |
| 2.752 Å | (30) |
| 2.473 Å | (20) |
| 1.716 Å | (20) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| High-? alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 32 : Ba/Mn/Pb/Zn deposits, including metamorphic deposits | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47b : [Sulfates and sulfites] | |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] | |
| 47e : [Vanadates, chromates, manganates] | |
| 47g : [Halogen-bearing surface weathering minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Philolithite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Crust-like overgrowths on subhedral lead. Euhedral crystals perched on lead wires. Thin (< 1 mm), cleavable, fissure filling in a Mn-silicate-rich carbonate rock.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden, 37389, 225116.
Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, Canada, 58623.
Los Angeles Co. Museum, Los Angeles, California, USA, 41794.
Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, Canada, 58623.
Los Angeles Co. Museum, Los Angeles, California, USA, 41794.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Philolithite
Other Language Names for Philolithite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 1 photo of Philolithite associated with Braunite | Mn2+Mn3+6(SiO4)O8 |
| 1 photo of Philolithite associated with Hausmannite | Mn2+Mn3+2O4 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.BF.05 | Northupite | Na3Mg(CO3)2Cl |
| 5.BF.05 | Manganotychite | Na6Mn2(CO3)4(SO4) |
| 5.BF.05 | Tychite | Na6Mg2(CO3)4(SO4) |
| 5.BF.05 | Ferrotychite | Na6(Fe,Mn,Mg)2(CO3)4(SO4) |
| 5.BF.10 | Sidorenkite | Na3Mn2+(CO3)(PO4) |
| 5.BF.10 | Crawfordite | Na3Sr(CO3)(PO4) |
| 5.BF.10 | Bonshtedtite | Na3Fe2+(CO3)(PO4) |
| 5.BF.10 | Bradleyite | Na3Mg(CO3)(PO4) |
| 5.BF.15 | Daqingshanite-(Ce) | (Sr,Ca,Ba)3(Ce,La)(CO3)3-x(PO4)(OH,F)2x |
| 5.BF.20 | Reederite-(Y) | (Na,Mn)15Y2(CO3)9(FSO3)Cl |
| 5.BF.25 | Mineevite-(Y) | Na25Ba(Y,Gd,Dy)2(CO3)11(HCO3)4(SO4)2F2Cl |
| 5.BF.30 | Brianyoungite | Zn3(CO3,SO4)(OH)4 |
| 5.BF.40 | Leadhillite | Pb4(CO3)2(SO4)(OH)2 |
| 5.BF.40 | Macphersonite | Pb4(CO3)2(SO4)(OH)2 |
| 5.BF.40 | Susannite | Pb4(CO3)2(SO4)(OH)2 |
| 5.BF.45 | Peatite-(Y) | Li4Na12Y12(PO4)12(CO3)4(F,OH)8 |
| 5.BF.50 | Ramikite-(Y) | Li4(Na,Ca)12Y6Zr6(PO4)12(CO3)4O4[(OH),F]4 |
Fluorescence of Philolithite
Not fluorescent.
Other Information
Notes:
Crystals decompose immediately in high-refractive-index liquids, with the evolution of bubbles.
In 1:1 HCl at room temperature, it gradually dissolves and decomposes with slow production of bubbles, leaving a white curd.
In 1:1 HCl at room temperature, it gradually dissolves and decomposes with slow production of bubbles, leaving a white curd.
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 Philolithite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-7230.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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Mineral Dealers:
References for Philolithite
Reference List:
Jambor, J. L., Puziewicz, J., Roberts, A. C. (1999) New mineral names. American Mineralogist, 84 (4) 685-688 pp.686-687
Localities for Philolithite
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.
Sweden (TL) | |
| Wenrich (1997) +2 other references |
Quick NavTopAbout PhilolithiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Långban Mine, Långban Ore District, Filipstad, Värmland County, Sweden