Bradleyite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Bradleyite
Wilmot H. Bradley
Formula:
Na3Mg(CO3)(PO4)
Colour:
Light grey
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3 - 4
Specific Gravity:
2.734
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in 1941 by John Joseph Fahey in honor of geologist Wilmot Hyde Bradley [April 4, 1899 Westville, Connecticut, USA - April 12, 1979 Pigeon Hill Road, Bangor, Maine, USA], Chief Geologist of U.S. Geological Survey, who conducted geologic investigations in the Green River area, Wyoming. Bradley was a co-founder and Chief of the Branch of Military Geology in 1943 and was Chief Geologist of the United States Geological Survey from 1944 to 1959 and retired from the U. S. Geological Survey in 1970.
Type Locality:
Structurally related to bonshtedtite.
May occur as fluid inclusions in chromite (Potapov et al., 2022).
May occur as fluid inclusions in chromite (Potapov et al., 2022).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
750
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:750:4
IMA Classification of Bradleyite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Na3Mg(PO4)(CO3)
First published:
1941
Classification of Bradleyite
5.BF.10
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
43.2.1.1
43 : COMPOUND PHOSPHATES, ETC.
2 : Anhydrous Normal Compound Phosphates, etc·
43 : COMPOUND PHOSPHATES, ETC.
2 : Anhydrous Normal Compound Phosphates, etc·
22.4.1
22 : Phosphates, Arsenates or Vanadates with other Anions
4 : Phosphates, arsenates or vanadates with carbonate
22 : Phosphates, Arsenates or Vanadates with other Anions
4 : Phosphates, arsenates or vanadates with carbonate
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bd | 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 Bradleyite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Light grey
Hardness:
3 - 4 on Mohs scale
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
2.734 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.72 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Bradleyite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.487(2) nβ = 1.546(2) nγ = 1.560(2)
2V:
Measured: 49° , Calculated: 50°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.073
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:
Moderate
Dispersion:
none
Chemistry of Bradleyite
Mindat Formula:
Na3Mg(CO3)(PO4)
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Bradleyite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/m
Setting:
P21/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.684(9) Å, b = 6.804(6) Å, c = 5.074(5) Å
β = 90.34(5)°
β = 90.34(5)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.276 : 1 : 0.746
Unit Cell V:
299.80 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Extremely fine-grained masses.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 2.655 Å | (100) |
| 3.312 Å | (71) |
| 8.85 Å | (50) |
| 2.576 Å | (35) |
| 1.839 Å | (30) |
| 3.694 Å | (25) |
| 1.658 Å | (25) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks | |
| 36 : Carbonatites, kimberlites, and related igneous rocks | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 50 : Coal and/or oil shale minerals | <0.36 |
Geological Setting:
Product of postgenetic crystallization of fluid inclusions in minerals from carbonatites and kimberlites.
In melt inclusions in diamonds.
Chloride-carbonatite nodules in kimberlite.
Syngenetic primary inclusion in early-crystallized minerals in carbonatites from the alkaline-carbonatite complexes.
In melt inclusions in diamonds.
Chloride-carbonatite nodules in kimberlite.
Syngenetic primary inclusion in early-crystallized minerals in carbonatites from the alkaline-carbonatite complexes.
Type Occurrence of Bradleyite
General Appearance of Type Material:
extremely fine-grained masses.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 117718.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Oil shale deposit. Secondary mineral after shortite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Bradleyite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 1 photo of Bradleyite associated with Loughlinite | Na2Mg3Si6O16 · 8H2O |
| 1 photo of Bradleyite associated with Tsumoite | BiTe |
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.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.35 | Philolithite | Pb12Mn2+(Mg,Mn2+)2(Mn2+,Mg)4(CO3)4(SO4)O6(OH)12Cl4 |
| 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 |
Other Information
Notes:
Slowly decomposed by cold water with Na2CO3 released to solution. Readily soluble in dilute HCl.
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 Bradleyite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-750.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 Bradleyite
Reference List:
Fahey, Joseph J., Tunell, George (1941) Bradleyite, a new mineral, sodium phosphate-magnesium carbonate. American Mineralogist, 26 (11) 646-650
Kozlov, Evgeniy Nikolaevich, Fomina, Ekaterina Nikolaevna, Bocharov, Vladimir Nikolaevich, Sidorov, Mikhail Yurievich, Vlasenko, Natalia Sergeevna, Shilovskikh, Vladimir Vladimirovich (2021) A Raman spectroscopic study of the natural carbonophosphates Na3MCO3PO4 (M is Mn, Fe, and Mg) European Journal of Mineralogy, 33 (3) 283-297 doi:10.5194/ejm-33-283-2021
Localities for Bradleyite
Showing 28 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.
Angola | |
| Castellano Calvo A et al. (2014) |
| Castellano Calvo A et al. (2014) |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | |
| Bermanec et al. (1994) |
Brazil | |
| Kaminsky et al. (2025) |
Canada | |
| Taseko |
| Kamenetsky et al. (2013) |
| Abersteiner et al. (2018) | |
| HORVÁTH et al. (2000) |
| Shang (2000) |
India | |
| Kaminsky et al. (2025) |
Russia | |
| Golovin et al. (2023) |
| Chayka et al. (2021) |
| Kaminsky et al. (2025) |
| Pavel M. Kartashov analytical data (2012) |
| Pekov et al. (2004) | |
| Pavel M. Kartashov analytical data (2012) | |
| Zaitsev et al. (2004) |
| Kaminsky et al. (2025) | |
| Sharygin et al. (2008) |
| Potapov et al. (2022) |
| Sharygin (2016) +1 other reference |
South Africa | |
| Kamenetsky et al. (2014) |
| Giuliani et al. (2012) +3 other references |
| Abersteiner et al. (2024) |
Turkey | |
| García-Veigas et al. (2013) |
USA | |
| Palache et al. (1951) +2 other references | |
| USGS PP405. +1 other reference |
| Fahey et al. (1941) |
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Westvaco mine, Green River Basin, Sweetwater County, Wyoming, USA