Brandtite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Brandtite
Formula:
Ca2Mn2+(AsO4)2 · 2H2O
Colour:
Colourless, white, pink; colourless in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3½
Specific Gravity:
3.67
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named by Adolph Erik Nordenskiöld in 1888 in honor of Swedish chemist Georg Brandt [June 26, 1694 Riddarhyttan, Sweden - April 29, 1768 Stockholm, Sweden]. Brandt was the discoverer of cobalt. Weeks (1960) cited an obituary of Georg Brandt and Anton von Swab written by Carl von Linne: "The kingdom and our sciences have now lost in a single year two stars of the first magnitude, Brandt and Svab. The Bureau of Mines and the science of mining have lost their supporting pillars. Men such as these never spring up like mushrooms. So far as I know, Europe has none like them. ... A king can lose an army, but within a year have another just as good. A king can lose a fleet and within two years have another rigged up, but a Brandt and a Svab cannot be gotten again during his entire reign"
Dimorph of:
Isostructural with:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
753
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:753:1
Similar Names
| Berndtite | A valid IMA mineral species | SnS2 |
IMA Classification of Brandtite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Ca2Mn2+(As5+O4)2·2H2O
Classification of Brandtite
8.CG.10
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
G : With large and medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O = 1:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
G : With large and medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O = 1:1
40.2.3.2
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
2 : AB2(XO4)2·xH2O
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
2 : AB2(XO4)2·xH2O
20.8.14
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
8 : Arsenates of Mn
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
8 : Arsenates of Mn
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bdt | 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 Brandtite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Colourless, white, pink; colourless in transmitted light.
Hardness:
3½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {010}, perfect.
On {010}, perfect.
Density:
3.67 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.7 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Brandtite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.707 - 1.709 nβ = 1.711 nγ = 1.724 - 1.729
2V:
Measured: 22° to 24°, Calculated: 38° to 60°
Birefringence:
0.018
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.017 - 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
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:
r < v strong
Chemistry of Brandtite
Mindat Formula:
Ca2Mn2+(AsO4)2 · 2H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Brandtite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.899 Å, b = 12.968 Å, c = 5.684 Å
β = 108.05°
β = 108.05°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.455 : 1 : 0.438
Unit Cell V:
413.42 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Crystals stout prismatic [001]. {100} striated [001]. Frequently grouped into radiated groups. Rounded or reniform masses with a radial-fibrous structure.
Twinning:
On {100}, common.
Crystal Structure
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Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0006117 | Brandtite | Herwig S, Hawthorne F C (2006) The topology of hydrogen bonding in brandtite, collinsite and fairfieldite The Canadian Mineralogist 44 1181-1196 |  | 2006 | Harstig mine, Harstigen, Sweden | 0 | 293 |
| 0012042 | Brandtite | Dahlman B (1952) The crystal structures of krohnkite, CuNa2(SO4)2*2H2O and brandtite, MnCa2(AsO4)2*2H2O Arkiv for Mineralogi och Geologi 1 339-366 | 1952 | Harstigen mine, Sweden | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 6.482 Å | (25) |
| 5.151 Å | (20) |
| 4.993 Å | (10) |
| 4.403 Å | (10) |
| 4.237 Å | (10) |
| 3.790 Å | (20) |
| 3.424 Å | (30) |
| 3.373 Å | (55) |
| 3.294 Å | (5) |
| 3.241 Å | (70) |
| 3.178 Å | (5) |
| 3.010 Å | (100) |
| 2.799 Å | (5) |
| 2.736 Å | (5) |
| 2.700 Å | (5) |
| 2.642 Å | (5) |
| 2.345 Å | (5) |
| 2.271 Å | (15) |
| 2.192 Å | (5) |
| 2.154 Å | (5) |
| 2.118 Å | (5) |
| 2.072 Å | (5) |
| 1.949 Å | (5) |
| 1.926 Å | (5) |
| 1.899 Å | (10) |
| 1.874 Å | (5) |
| 1.824 Å | (5) |
| 1.735 Å | (10) |
| 1.716 Å | (5) |
Comments:
ICDD 29-348
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] | |
| 47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] | |
| 47e : [Vanadates, chromates, manganates] |
Type Occurrence of Brandtite
Other Language Names for Brandtite
Relationship of Brandtite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Brandtite Group:
| Dobšináite | Ca2Ca(AsO4)2 · 2H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Kröhnkite | Na2Cu(SO4)2 · 2H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Roselite | Ca2Co(AsO4)2 · 2H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Rruffite | Ca2Cu(AsO4)2 · 2H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Wendwilsonite | Ca2Mg(AsO4)2 · 2H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Zincroselite | Ca2Zn(AsO4)2 · 2H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 24 photos of Brandtite associated with Caryopilite | Mn2+3Si2O5(OH)4 |
| 17 photos of Brandtite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 14 photos of Brandtite associated with Willemite | Zn2SiO4 |
| 14 photos of Brandtite associated with Franklinite | Zn2+Fe3+2O4 |
| 7 photos of Brandtite associated with Rhodonite | CaMn3Mn[Si5O15] |
| 6 photos of Brandtite associated with Sarkinite | Mn2+2(AsO4)(OH) |
| 4 photos of Brandtite associated with Andradite | Ca3Fe3+2(SiO4)3 |
| 3 photos of Brandtite associated with Rhodochrosite | MnCO3 |
| 2 photos of Brandtite associated with 'Manganese Oxides' | |
| 2 photos of Brandtite associated with 'Unnamed (Fe2+-analogue of Parabrandtite)' | Ca2Fe2+(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.CG. | Fluckite | CaMn2+(AsO3OH)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG. | Dondoellite | Ca2Fe(PO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG. | 'Ca-Huréaulite' | CaMn5(PO4)4 · 4H2O |
| 8.CG. | Alumolukrahnite | Ca[CuAl](AsO4)2(H2O,OH)2 |
| 8.CG.05 | Parabrandtite | Ca2Mn2+(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.05 | Talmessite | Ca2Mg(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.05 | Collinsite | Ca2Mg(PO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.05 | Messelite | Ca2Fe2+(PO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.05 | Gaitite | Ca2Zn(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.05 | Anorthoroselite | Ca2Co(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.05 | Cassidyite | Ca2Ni(PO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.05 | Fairfieldite | Ca2Mn2+(PO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.05 | Hillite | Ca2Zn(PO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.05 | 'Unnamed (Fe2+-analogue of Parabrandtite)' | Ca2Fe2+(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.10 | Zincroselite | Ca2Zn(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.10 | Roselite | Ca2Co(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.10 | Rruffite | Ca2Cu(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.10 | Wendwilsonite | Ca2Mg(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.10 | 'Unnamed (Fe2+-analogue of Brandtite)' | Ca2Fe2+(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.15 | Mawbyite | PbFe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.CG.15 | Thometzekite | PbCu2+2(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.15 | Yancowinnaite | PbCuAl(AsO4)2OH · H2O |
| 8.CG.15 | Schneebergite | BiCo2(AsO4)2(OH) · H2O |
| 8.CG.15 | Cabalzarite | CaMg2(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.15 | Nickelschneebergite | BiNi2(AsO4)2(OH) · H2O |
| 8.CG.15 | Lotharmeyerite | CaZn2(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.15 | Nickeltsumcorite | Pb(Ni,Fe3+)2(AsO4)2(H2O,OH)2 |
| 8.CG.15 | Magnesiofluckite | CaMg(AsO3OH)2(H2O)2 |
| 8.CG.15 | Krettnichite | PbMn3+2(VO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.CG.15 | Cobalttsumcorite | PbCo2(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.15 | Manganlotharmeyerite | CaMn3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.CG.15 | Tsumcorite | PbZn2(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.15 | Ferrilotharmeyerite | CaZnFe3+(AsO4)2(OH) · H2O |
| 8.CG.15 | Cobaltlotharmeyerite | CaCo2(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.15 | Mounanaite | PbFe3+2(VO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.CG.15 | Nickellotharmeyerite | CaNi2(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.20 | Lukrahnite | CaCuFe3+(AsO4)2(OH,H2O)2 |
| 8.CG.20 | Helmutwinklerite | PbZn2(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.20 | Phosphogartrellite | PbCuFe3+(PO4)2(OH,H2O)2 |
| 8.CG.20 | Gartrellite | PbCuFe3+(AsO4)2(OH) · H2O |
| 8.CG.20 | Zincgartrellite | PbZn2(AsO4)2(H2O,OH)2 |
| 8.CG.20 | Rappoldite | PbCo2(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.25 | Pottsite | (Pb3xBi4-2x)(VO4)4 · H2O (0.8 < x < 1.0) |
| 8.CG.25 | Armellinoite-(Ce) | Ca4Ce4+(AsO4)4 · H2O |
| 8.CG.35 | Nickeltalmessite | Ca2Ni(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CG.55 | Irhtemite | Ca4Mg(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 4H2O |
Fluorescence of Brandtite
Not known to be fluorescent.
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
Fuses somewhat easily to a brown bead. In a closed tube it gives off water without decrepitation.
Notes:
Soluble in dilute acids.
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 Brandtite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-753.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Brandtite
Reference List:
Larsen, Esper S. (1921) The microscopic determination of the nonopaque minerals. Bulletin 679. US Geological Survey doi:10.3133/b679 p.50
Wolfe, C. W. (1940) Classification of minerals of the type A3(XO4)2·nH2O. American Mineralogist, 25 (11) 738-753 p.750
Hawthorne, F. C., Ferguson, R. B. (1977) The crystal structure of roselite. The Canadian Mineralogist, 15 (1) 36-42
Localities for Brandtite
Showing 29 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.
Austria | |
| Kolitsch et al. (2019) |
| Kolitsch et al. (2018) |
| Kolitsch et al. (2017) |
Chile | |
| "Cuadrángulo Quebrada Paipote" +3 other references |
| "Cuadrángulo Los Loros" +3 other references | |
| maurizio dini collection - quantitative ... |
Czech Republic | |
| Kohout et al. (1995) +1 other reference |
France | |
| Forner et al. (1997) |
| Pélisson et al. (1987) |
Germany | |
| Lorenz (1991) +2 other references |
| Lapis 30 (7/8) |
Greece | |
| Kolitsch et al. (2014) |
Italy | |
| Castellaro et al. (2021) |
| Balestra (2016) |
| Balestra et al. (UK report) |
| Piccoli et al. (2007) |
Japan | |
| R. Marumoto collection +2 other references |
Kazakhstan | |
| Evseev (1995) |
| Frank Dzubeck |
Slovakia | |
| Martin Števko & Pavol Myšľan +1 other reference |
South Africa | |
| - (1991) |
Sweden | |
| Holtstam et al. (1999) +1 other reference |
| Langhof (2003) | |
| NRM collection # 250111 +1 other reference | |
| Lindström (1891) +3 other references |
| Nysten (2020) |
Switzerland | |
| Geiger (1948) |
UK | |
| |
USA | |
| Palache et al. (1951) +3 other references |
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Fuchs Quarry, Hartkoppe, Sailauf, Aschaffenburg District, Lower Franconia, Bavaria, Germany