Named in honor of Vagn Fabritius Buchwald (23 June 1929 Fredriksberg, Denmark - ) professor in the Department of Metallurgy, Danmarks Tekniske Højskole, Lyngby, Denmark. He is an expert on meteorites and wrote several books including Handbook of Iron Meteorites (1975). He famously discovered the 20 ton Agpalilik meteorite in Greenland in 1963, and discovered five new minerals (roaldite, carlsbergite, akaganeite, hibbingite, and arupite).

Type Locality:

ⓘ Cape York meteorite, Cap York, Avannaata, Greenland

A synthetic arsenate analogue is known.

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Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:

794

Long-form identifier:

mindat:1:1:794:8

IMA Classification of BuchwalditeHide

IMA status:

Approved

IMA Formula:

NaCaPO₄

Approval year:

1975

First published:

1977

Type description reference:

Olsen, Edward, Erlichman, Joseph, Bunch, T. E., Moore, Paul B. (1977) Buchwaldite, a new meteoritic phosphate mineral . American Mineralogist, 62 (3-4) 362-364

Classification of BuchwalditeHide

Strunz-mindat (2026):

8.AD.25

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
A : Phosphates, etc. without additional anions, without H₂O
D : With only large cations

Dana 7th ed.:

38.1.2.2

Dana 8th ed.:

38.1.2.2

38 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, AND VANADATES
1 : ABXO₄

Hey's CIM Ref.:

19.4.5

19 : Phosphates
4 : Phosphates of Ca

Mineral SymbolsHide

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
Bwa	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 BuchwalditeHide

Transparency:

Translucent

Colour:

White

Streak:

White

Hardness:

3 on Mohs scale

Comment:

Fairly low, less than 3

Tenacity:

Brittle

Cleavage:

Imperfect/Fair

Fracture:

Splintery

Density:

3.21 g/cm³ (Calculated)

Optical Data of BuchwalditeHide

Type:

Biaxial (-)

RI values:

n_α = 1.607 n_β = 1.610 n_γ = 1.616

2V:

Measured: 65° , Calculated: 72°

Birefringence:

0.009

Max. Birefringence:

δ = 0.009
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.

Thickness: 30 µm

Rotation:

Surface Relief:

Moderate

Dispersion:

r < v

Optical Extinction:

parallel

Chemistry of BuchwalditeHide

Mindat Formula:

NaCa(PO₄)

Element Weights:

Element	% weight
O	40.495 %
Ca	25.360 %
P	19.599 %
Na	14.547 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.

Elements listed:

Ca, Na, O, P - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of BuchwalditeHide

Crystal System:

Orthorhombic

Class (H-M):

mm2 - Pyramidal

Space Group:

Pmn2₁

Setting:

Pmn2₁

Cell Parameters:

a = 5.167(25) Å, b = 9.259(45) Å, c = 6.737(32) Å

Ratio:

a:b:c = 0.558 : 1 : 0.728

Unit Cell V:

322.31 Å³ (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Morphology:

Fibers.

Comment:

Am Min(1977) 62:362.

Crystal StructureHide

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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)
0009985	Buchwaldite	Ben Amara M, Vlasse M, Le Flem G, Hagenmuller P (1983) Structure of the low-temperature variety of calcium sodium orthophosphate, NaCaPO4 Acta Crystallographica C39 1483-1485		1983	synthetic	0	293

CIF Raw Data - click here to close

data_global
_chemical_name_mineral 'Buchwaldite'
loop_
_publ_author_name
'Ben Amara M'
'Vlasse M'
'Le Flem G'
'Hagenmuller P'
_journal_name_full 'Acta Crystallographica, Section C'
_journal_volume 39 
_journal_year 1983
_journal_page_first 1483
_journal_page_last 1485
_publ_section_title
;
 Structure of the low-temperature variety of calcium sodium orthophosphate, NaCaPO4
;
_database_code_amcsd 0009985
_chemical_compound_source 'Synthetic'
_chemical_formula_sum 'Ca Na P O4'
_cell_length_a 20.397
_cell_length_b 5.412
_cell_length_c 9.161
_cell_angle_alpha 90
_cell_angle_beta 90
_cell_angle_gamma 90
_cell_volume 1011.270
_exptl_crystal_density_diffrn      3.114
_symmetry_space_group_name_H-M 'P n 21 a'
loop_
_space_group_symop_operation_xyz
  'x,y,z'
  '1/2+x,y,1/2-z'
  '1/2-x,1/2+y,1/2+z'
  '-x,1/2+y,-z'
loop_
_atom_site_label
_atom_site_fract_x
_atom_site_fract_y
_atom_site_fract_z
_atom_site_U_iso_or_equiv
Ca1   0.00110   0.26000   0.70110   0.00583
Ca2   0.16740   0.22780   0.79430   0.00697
Ca3   0.33560   0.20510   0.70230   0.00722
Na1   0.05590   0.26240   0.07190   0.01444
Na2   0.22160   0.22120   0.42770   0.02001
Na3   0.39200   0.23680   0.07040   0.01292
P1   0.40710   0.25390   0.41440   0.00633
P2   0.24040   0.22260   0.08190   0.00456
P3   0.07620   0.22380   0.40970   0.00279
O1   0.33380   0.27610   0.44170   0.01697
O2   0.44530   0.25880   0.55800   0.02090
O3   0.42410   0.01400   0.33480   0.01178
O4   0.42890   0.47690   0.31900   0.00570
O5   0.16980   0.27580   0.06260   0.01013
O6   0.27500   0.17050   0.93300   0.01406
O7   0.25310   0.00930   0.18860   0.01532
O8   0.27170   0.46500   0.15470   0.01811
O9   0.00110   0.17200   0.44340   0.01710
O10   0.10710   0.26860   0.56250   0.01621
O11   0.10390   0.99740   0.34410   0.01760
O12   0.08360   0.45530   0.31560   0.00659

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:

d-spacing	Intensity
3.79 Å	(90)
2.72 Å	(100)
2.63 Å	(60)
2.58 Å	(50)
2.51 Å	(40)
2.19 Å	(40)
1.91 Å	(80)
1.54 Å	(30)

Comments:

ICDD 29-1194

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):

Paragenetic Mode	Earliest Age (Ga)
Stage 2: Planetesimal differentiation and alteration	4.566-4.550
5 : Primary asteroid phases	4.566–4.560

Type Occurrence of BuchwalditeHide

Type Locality:

ⓘ Cape York meteorite, Cap York, Avannaata, Greenland

General Appearance of Type Material:

Minute interlocking fibers.

Place of Conservation of Type Material:

University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark, number 1967.41.

Geological Setting of Type Material:

Cape York meteorite.

Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Chromite

Troilite

Reference:

Olsen, Edward, Erlichman, Joseph, Bunch, T. E., Moore, Paul B. (1977) Buchwaldite, a new meteoritic phosphate mineral . American Mineralogist, 62 (3-4) 362-364

Synonyms of BuchwalditeHide

IMA1975-041

Other Language Names for BuchwalditeHide

Dutch:Buchwaldiet

German:Buchwaldit

Russian:Бухвальдит

Simplified Chinese:磷钠钙石

Spanish:Buchwaldita

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping Hide

8.AD.	'Unnamed (Monoclinic polymorph of ximengite)'	Bi(PO₄)	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/m
8.AD.	Keplerite	Ca₉(Ca_0.5◻_0.5)Mg(PO₄)₇	Trig. 3m : R3c
8.AD.	Mazorite	Ba₃(PO₄)₂	Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
8.AD.	Deynekoite	Ca₉◻Fe³⁺(PO₄)₇	Trig. 3m : R3c
8.AD.	Monazite-(Gd)	Gd(PO₄)	Mon.
8.AD.05	Nahpoite	Na₂(PO₃OH)	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/m
8.AD.10	Weilite	Ca(HAsO₄)	Tric. 1 : P1
8.AD.10	Švenekite	Ca(H₂AsO₄)₂	Tric. 1 : P1
8.AD.10	Monetite	Ca(PO₃OH)	Tric. 1
8.AD.15	Archerite	(K,NH₄)(H₂PO₄)	Tet. 42m : I42d
8.AD.15	Biphosphammite	NH₄(H₂PO₄)	Tet. 422 : I4₁22
8.AD.20	Phosphammite	(NH₄)₂(PO₃OH)	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
8.AD.30	Schulténite	Pb(HAsO₄)	Mon. 2/m : P2/b
8.AD.35	Dreyerite	Bi(VO₄)	Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I4₁/amd
8.AD.35	Wakefieldite-(La)	La(VO₄)	Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I4₁/amd
8.AD.35	Anningite-(Ce)	(Ca_0.5Ce⁴⁺_0.5)(VO₄)	Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I4₁/amd
8.AD.35	Pretulite	Sc(PO₄)	Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I4₁/amd
8.AD.35	Wakefieldite-(Ce)	Ce(VO₄)	Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I4₁/amd
8.AD.35	Wakefieldite-(Y)	Y(VO₄)	Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I4₁/amd
8.AD.35	Xenotime-(Yb)	Yb(PO₄)	Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I4₁/amd
8.AD.35	'Chernovite-(Ce)'	(Ce,Y)(AsO₄)	Tet.
8.AD.35	Xenotime-(Gd)	Gd(PO₄)	Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I4₁/amd
8.AD.35	Chernovite-(Y)	Y(AsO₄)	Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I4₁/amd
8.AD.35	Xenotime-(Y)	Y(PO₄)	Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I4₁/amd
8.AD.35	Wakefieldite-(Nd)	Nd(VO₄)	Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I4₁/amd
8.AD.40	Pucherite	Bi(VO₄)	Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
8.AD.45	Ximengite	Bi(PO₄)	Trig. 32 : P3₁21
8.AD.50	'UM2005-35-VO:CaFePSiTh'	(Th,Ca)(VO₄,SiO₄,PO₄)
8.AD.50	Rooseveltite	Bi(AsO₄)	Mon. 2/m
8.AD.50	Gasparite-(Ce)	Ce(AsO₄)	Mon. 2/m
8.AD.50	Monazite-(Sm)	Sm(PO₄)	Mon. 2/m
8.AD.50	Monazite-(Ce)	Ce(PO₄)	Mon. 2/m
8.AD.50	Monazite-(La)	La(PO₄)	Mon. 2/m
8.AD.50	Monazite-(Nd)	Nd(PO₄)	Mon. 2/m
8.AD.50	Gasparite-(La)	La(AsO₄)	Mon. 2/m
8.AD.50	Cheralite	CaTh(PO₄)₂	Mon. 2/m
8.AD.55	Tetrarooseveltite	Bi(AsO₄)	Tet. 4/m : I4₁/a
8.AD.60	Chursinite	[Hg₂]²⁺Hg²⁺₂[AsO₄]₂	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
8.AD.65	Clinobisvanite	Bi(VO₄)	Mon. 2/m
8.AD.70	Gurimite	Ba₃(VO₄)₂	Trig. 3m : R3m
8.AD.75	Picaite	NaCa[AsO₃OH][AsO₂(OH)₂]	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b

Other InformationHide

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 BuchwalditeHide

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https://www.mindat.org/min-794.html
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External Links:

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Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project

References and PDF downloads at RRUFF project

American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database

Handbook of Mineralogy page PDF

Mineral Dealers:

Buy from D. Joyce minerals

References for BuchwalditeHide

Reference List:

Olsen, Edward, Erlichman, Joseph, Bunch, T. E., Moore, Paul B. (1977) Buchwaldite, a new meteoritic phosphate mineral . American Mineralogist, 62 (3-4) 362-364

Ben Amara, M.; Vlasse, M.; Le Flem, G.; Hagenmuller, P. (1983) Structure of the low-temperature variety of calcium sodium orthophosphate, NaCaPO4. Acta Crystallographica Section C Crystal Structure Communications, 39 (11). 1483-1485 doi:10.1107/s0108270183008963

(2005) Buchwaldite. Handbook of Mineralogy. Mineralogical Society of America

Localities for BuchwalditeHide

Showing 6 localities.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the

symbol to view information about a locality. The

symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.

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Locality ListHide

- 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). ~~Struck out~~ - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.


Germany
Rhineland-Palatinate Mayen-Koblenz Mayen Seekante ⓘ Xenolith CS-020	Skrzyńska et al. (2023)
ⓘ Xenolith CS-090 (Hopmannite type locality)	Juroszek et al. (Ti 5 Fe) +1 other reference

Greenland (TL)
Avannaata Cap York ⓘ Cape York meteorite (TL)	Mineralogical Society of America - ... +1 other reference

Kazakhstan
West Kazakhstan Region Bayterek District ⓘ Darinskoe meteorite	Sharygin (2019)

Poland
Greater Poland Voivodeship Poznań ⓘ Morasko meteorite	Karwowski et al. (2008) +1 other reference

Uganda
Eastern Region Soroti ⓘ Soroti meteorite	Kracher +2 other references

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Buchwaldite

Unique IdentifiersHide

IMA Classification of BuchwalditeHide

Classification of BuchwalditeHide

Mineral SymbolsHide

Physical Properties of BuchwalditeHide

Optical Data of BuchwalditeHide

Chemistry of BuchwalditeHide

Crystallography of BuchwalditeHide

Crystal StructureHide

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Geological EnvironmentHide

Type Occurrence of BuchwalditeHide

Synonyms of BuchwalditeHide

Other Language Names for BuchwalditeHide

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

Other InformationHide

Internet Links for BuchwalditeHide

References for BuchwalditeHide

Localities for BuchwalditeHide

Locality ListHide

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping Hide