Brazilianite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Brazilianite
Formula:
NaAl3(PO4)2(OH)4
Colour:
Chartreuse yellow, pale yellow, yellow green, colourless; coloured varieties are colourless in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous, Greasy
Hardness:
5½
Specific Gravity:
2.98
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named by Frederick Harvey Pough and Edward Porter Henderson in 1945 for the type locality country, Brazil, where it was first found.
Visit gemdat.org for Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
760
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:760:1
Similar Names
| Berzelianite | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | Cu2-xSe (x ≈ 0.12) |
| Brazilianite (of Mawe) | A synonym of Wavellite |
IMA Classification of Brazilianite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1945
Classification of Brazilianite
8.BK.05
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
K : With medium-sized and large cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 = 2:1, 2.5:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
K : With medium-sized and large cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 = 2:1, 2.5:1
41.5.7.1
41 : ANHYDROUS PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
5 : (AB)2(XO4)Zq
41 : ANHYDROUS PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
5 : (AB)2(XO4)Zq
19.8.2
19 : Phosphates
8 : Phosphates of Al and other metals
19 : Phosphates
8 : Phosphates of Al and other metals
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bzl | 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 Brazilianite
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous, Greasy
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Chartreuse yellow, pale yellow, yellow green, colourless; coloured varieties are colourless in transmitted light.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
5½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Good on {010}
Good on {010}
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
2.98 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.998 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Brazilianite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.602 nβ = 1.609 nγ = 1.621 - 1.623
2V:
Measured: 71° to 75°, Calculated: 72° to 76°
Birefringence:
0.020
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.019 - 0.021
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:
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 perceptible
Optical Extinction:
Y = b; X ∧ c = –20°.
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Brazilianite
Mindat Formula:
NaAl3(PO4)2(OH)4
Element Weights:
Chemical Analysis
Oxide wt%:
| 1 | |
|---|---|
| P2O5 | 38,76 % |
| Al2O3 | 42,53 % |
| Fe2O3 | 0,24 % |
| Na2O | 8,10 % |
| K2O | 0,18 % |
| Li2O | 0,01 % |
| H2O+ | 9,33 % |
| Insol | 0,94 % |
| Total: | 97 % |
Sample references:
| ID | Locality | Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Buranga pegmatite, Muhororo, Ngororero District, Western Province, Rwanda |
Crystallography of Brazilianite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:
a = 11.229(6) Å, b = 10.142(5) Å, c = 7.098(4) Å
β = 97.7°
β = 97.7°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.107 : 1 : 0.7
Unit Cell V:
801.06 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Typically short prismatic, spearhead shaped, elongated [100], with large {011} and {111}. Also may exhibit {010}, {110}, {301}, and {101}. May also occur as radially-fibrous or globular aggregates.
Forms include: {001}, {010}, {100}, {340}, {110}, {210}, {310}, {610}, {011}, {101}, {101}, {201}, {301}, {113}, {111}, {111}, {211}, {121}.
Forms include: {001}, {010}, {100}, {340}, {110}, {210}, {310}, {610}, {011}, {101}, {101}, {201}, {301}, {113}, {111}, {111}, {211}, {121}.
Comment:
Space group P21/n.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0009508 | Brazilianite | Gatehouse B M, Miskin B K (1974) The crystal structure of brazilianite, NaAl3(PO4)2(OH)4 Acta Crystallographica B30 1311-1317 |  | 1974 | Corrego Frio pegmatite, Minas Gerais, Brazil | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Loading XRD data...
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 5.04 Å | (100) |
| 3.77 Å | (40) |
| 2.98 Å | (80) |
| 2.87 Å | (70) |
| 2.73 Å | (80) |
| 2.68 Å | (80) |
| 1.44 Å | (50) |
Comments:
Also 41-407
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47) | |
| High-? alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 31 : Thermally altered carbonate, phosphate, and iron formations | |
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites |
Geological Setting:
Phosphate zones in granitic pegmatites. Metamorphosed sedimentary deposits.
Type Occurrence of Brazilianite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Large, form-rich, euhedral crystals.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, number 105048.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Granite pegmatite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Brazilianite
Other Language Names for Brazilianite
Dutch:Brazilianiet
German:Brazilianit
Brasilianit
Brasilianit
Italian:Brasilianite
Polish:Brazylianit
Russian:Бразилианит
Simplified Chinese:磷铝钠石
Spanish:Brazilianita
Traditional Chinese:磷鋁鈉石
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 264 photos of Brazilianite associated with Albite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
| 95 photos of Brazilianite associated with Muscovite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| 61 photos of Brazilianite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 20 photos of Brazilianite associated with Siderite | FeCO3 |
| 19 photos of Brazilianite associated with Microcline | K(AlSi3O8) |
| 16 photos of Brazilianite associated with 'Cleavelandite' | Na(AlSi3O8) |
| 12 photos of Brazilianite associated with Orthoclase | K(AlSi3O8) |
| 9 photos of Brazilianite associated with Mica Group | |
| 9 photos of Brazilianite associated with Zanazziite | Ca2Mg5Be4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 6H2O |
| 8 photos of Brazilianite associated with Beryllonite | NaBePO4 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.BK.10 | Neustädtelite | Bi2Fe3+(Fe3+,Co)(AsO4)2(O,OH)4 |
| 8.BK.10 | Cobaltneustädtelite | Bi2Fe3+(Co,Fe3+)(AsO4)2(O,OH)4 |
| 8.BK.10 | Medenbachite | Bi2Fe3+Cu2+(AsO4)2O(OH)3 |
| 8.BK.15 | Curetonite | Ba(Al,Ti)(PO4)(OH,O)F |
| 8.BK.20 | Heyite | Pb5Fe2+2(VO4)2O4 |
| 8.BK.25 | Jamesite | Pb2Zn(Fe2+,Zn)2Fe3+4(AsO4)4(OH)10 |
| 8.BK.25 | Lulzacite | Sr2Fe2+(Fe2+,Mg)2Al4(PO4)4(OH)10 |
| 8.BK.25 | Désorite | Pb2(Fe3+6Zn)O2(PO4)4(OH)8 |
| 8.BK.30 | Nishanbaevite | KAl2O(AsO4)(SO4) |
| 8.BK.35 | Zircarsite | Na18Cu12ZrO8(AsO4)8Cl6 |
| 8.BK.35 | Arsmirandite | Na18Cu12Fe3+O8(AsO4)8Cl5 |
| 8.BK.35 | Lebedevite | K4Na14Cu14O8(AsO4)8Cl6 |
| 8.BK.35 | Lehmannite | Na18Cu12TiO8(AsO4)8FCl5 |
Fluorescence of Brazilianite
Not fluorescent,
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
In a closed tube, it decrepitates slightly and gives off water.
Fuses with difficulty, coloring the flame yellow.
Slightly expands on heating, forming a white product.
At low temperatures, the yellow color is lost and the crystals become colorless.
Fuses with difficulty, coloring the flame yellow.
Slightly expands on heating, forming a white product.
At low temperatures, the yellow color is lost and the crystals become colorless.
Notes:
Slowly decomposed by HF and by hot H2SO4.
Insoluble in HCl.
Insoluble in 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 Brazilianite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-760.html
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References for Brazilianite
Reference List:
Pough, Frederick H., Henderson, Edward P. (1945) Brazilianite, a new phosphate mineral. American Mineralogist, 30 (9-10) 572-582
Frondel, Clifford, Lindberg, Marie Louise (1948) Second occurrence of brazilianite. American Mineralogist, 33 (3-4) 135-141
Pecora, William T., Fahey, Joseph J. (1949) The Corrego Frio pegmatite, Minas Gerais: scorzalite and souzalite, two new phosphate minerals. American Mineralogist, 34 (1-2) 83-93
Morrill, Philip (1956) A New Brazilianite Locality: The Charles Davis Mine, No. Groton, NH. Rocks & Minerals, 31 (3) 128-129 doi:10.1080/00357529.1956.11767656
Gatehouse, B. M., Miskin, B. K. (1974) The crystal structure of brazilianite, NaAl3(PO4)2(OH)4. Acta Crystallographica Section B Structural Crystallography and Crystal Chemistry, 30 (5) 1311-1317 doi:10.1107/s0567740874004730
Hill, Fritz, Lehmann, Gerhard (1978) Atomic Hydrogen in the Mineral Brasilianite NaAl3(PO4)2(OH)4. Zeitschrift für Naturforschung A, 33 (12). 1484-1486 doi:10.1515/zna-1978-1211
Requardt, A., Hill, F., Lehmann, G. (1982) A Firmly Localized Hole Center in the Mineral Brazilianite NaAl3(PO4)2(OH)4. Zeitschrift für Naturforschung A, 37 (3). 280-286 doi:10.1515/zna-1982-0315
Landrath, K. D., Lehmann, G. (1987) The Structures of Two Hole Centers in the Mineral Brasilianite NaAl3(PO4)2(OH)4. Zeitschrift für Naturforschung A, 42 (6). doi:10.1515/zna-1987-0608
Cook, Robert B. (2000) Connolsseur's Choice: Brazilianite Córrego Frio, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Rocks & Minerals, 75 (1) 40-42 doi:10.1080/00357520009602573
Baldwin, J. R., Hill, P. G., von Knorring, O., Oliver, G. J. H. (2000) Exotic aluminium phosphates, natromontebrasite, brazilianite, goyazite, gorceixite and crandallite from rare-element pegmatites in Namibia. Mineralogical Magazine, 64 (6) 1147-1164 doi:10.1180/002646100549940
Frost, Ray L., Xi, Yunfei (2012) Molecular structure of the phosphate mineral brazilianite NaAl3(PO4)2(OH)4 – A semi precious jewel. Journal of Molecular Structure, 1010. 179-183 doi:10.1016/j.molstruc.2011.12.003
Localities for Brazilianite
Showing 76 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.
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Telírio claim, Linópolis, Divino das Laranjeiras, Minas Gerais, Brazil