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Gladiusite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Gladiusite
Formula:
Fe2(Fe,Mg)4(PO4)(OH)11(H2O)
Colour:
Dark green, almost black; red-brown, brownish
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
4 - 4½
Specific Gravity:
3.11
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
For the crystal morphology (resembling a double-edged sword (gladius, Latin for sword)).
Type Locality:
Note: Gladiusite contains both Fe3+ and Fe2+ in the (ideal) ratio of 2:1. The colour of the type material is described as "dark green, almost black". The red-brown, brownish colour of most of the material shown in the photos here suggests that some or all of the Fe2+ might be oxidised, which might correspond to a new species (comment by Uwe Kolitsch, May 2021).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
11032
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:11032:1
Similar Names
| Galadsite | A synonym of 'Galactite' |
IMA Classification of Gladiusite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Fe3+2Fe2+4PO4(OH)11·H2O
Approval year:
1998
First published:
2000
Type description reference:
Liferovich, R. P., Sokolova, E. V., Hawthorne, F. C., Laajoki, K. V.O., Gehor, S., Pakhomovsky, Y. A., Sorokhtina, N. V. (2000) Gladiusite, Fe3+2(Fe2+,Mg)4(PO4)(OH)11(H2O), a new hydrothermal mineral species from the phoscorite-carbonatite unit, Kovdor Complex, Kola Peninsula, Russia. The Canadian Mineralogist, 38 (6) 1477-1485 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.38.6.1477
Classification of Gladiusite
8.DF.40
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
F : With only medium-sized cations, (OH,etc.):RO4 > 3:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
F : With only medium-sized cations, (OH,etc.):RO4 > 3:1
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Gds | 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 Gladiusite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Dark green, almost black; red-brown, brownish
Streak:
Olive-green (in 10-12 hours, changes to brownish red)
Hardness:
4 - 4½ on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN20=300(20) kg/mm2 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Parting:
None observed
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
3.11(2) g/cm3 (Measured) 3.08 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Gladiusite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.722 nβ = 1.73 nγ = 1.737
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.015
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.
No measured or calculated 2V is on file for this mineral, so the value used here (86°) is estimated from its recorded refractive indices and optic sign, not from a direct 2V measurement.
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.
No measured or calculated 2V is on file for this mineral, so the value used here (86°) is estimated from its recorded refractive indices and optic sign, not from a direct 2V measurement.
Dispersion:
r > v
Pleochroism:
Strong
Comments:
X = olive-green, Y = grayish blue, Z = dark green with a blue tint
Comments:
Absorption: X > Y > Z.
Chemistry of Gladiusite
Mindat Formula:
Fe2(Fe,Mg)4(PO4)(OH)11(H2O)
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Gladiusite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/c
Setting:
P21/n
Cell Parameters:
a = 16.950(2) Å, b = 11.650(1) Å, c = 6.2660(6) Å
β = 90.000(4)°
β = 90.000(4)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.455 : 1 : 0.538
Unit Cell V:
1,237.33 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Twinning:
Extensive, pseudo-orthorhombic revealed by structure analysis.
Comment:
pseudo-orthorhombic.
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
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0005729 | Gladiusite | Sokolova E V, Hawthorne F C, McCammon C A, Liferovich R P (2001) The crystal structure of gladiusite, (Fe,Mg)4Fe2(PO4)(OH)11(H2O) The Canadian Mineralogist 39 1121-1130 |  | 2001 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.805 Å | (100) |
| 5.83 Å | (89) |
| 3.533 Å | (84) |
| 6.87 Å | (77) |
| 2.868 Å | (66) |
| 3.787 Å | (62) |
| 9.61 Å | (53) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 22 : Hydration and low-? subsurface aqueous alteration (see also #23) |
Type Occurrence of Gladiusite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Acicular masses and as freestanding radiating clusters of arrow-head crystals; clusters do not exceed 2 mm in diameter. The crystals show subtly curved faces and a habit similar to a double-edged sword. Acicular crystals vary from 0.5-7 um thick and from
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
A.E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Moscow, Russia (2310/1), and in the Geological Museum, Institute of Geosciences, University of Oulu, Finland (12182).
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Low-temperature hydrothermal mineral in vugs in veins of dolomitic carbonatite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Liferovich, R. P., Sokolova, E. V., Hawthorne, F. C., Laajoki, K. V.O., Gehor, S., Pakhomovsky, Y. A., Sorokhtina, N. V. (2000) Gladiusite, Fe3+2(Fe2+,Mg)4(PO4)(OH)11(H2O), a new hydrothermal mineral species from the phoscorite-carbonatite unit, Kovdor Complex, Kola Peninsula, Russia. The Canadian Mineralogist, 38 (6) 1477-1485 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.38.6.1477
Synonyms of Gladiusite
Other Language Names for Gladiusite
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.DF. | Wiperamingaite | NaCaFe3+Al(PO4)F5(OH) · H2O |
| 8.DF. | Kernowite | Cu2Fe(AsO4)(OH)4 · 4H2O |
| 8.DF.05 | Hotsonite | Al11(SO4)3(PO4)2(OH)21 · 16H2O |
| 8.DF.10 | Liskeardite | [(Al,Fe)32(AsO4)18(OH)42(H2O)22] · 52H2O |
| 8.DF.10 | Rosièresite | (Pb, Cu, Al, P, O, H) |
| 8.DF.10 | Evansite | Al3(PO4)(OH)6 · 6H2O |
| 8.DF.10 | Bolivarite | Al2(PO4)(OH)3 · 4-5H2O |
| 8.DF.15 | Rusakovite | (Fe3+,Al)5(VO4,PO4)2(OH)9 · 3H2O |
| 8.DF.20 | Liroconite | Cu2Al(AsO4)(OH)4 · 4H2O |
| 8.DF.25 | Sieleckiite | Cu3Al4(PO4)2(OH)12 · 2H2O |
| 8.DF.30 | Chalcophyllite | Cu18Al2(AsO4)4(SO4)3(OH)24 · 36H2O |
| 8.DF.35 | Parnauite | Cu9(AsO4)2(SO4)(OH)10 · 7H2O |
| 8.DF.50 | Forêtite | Cu2Al2(AsO4)(OH,O,H2O)6 |
Fluorescence of Gladiusite
None
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in HCl, after several hours at room temperature.
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 Gladiusite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-11032.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Gladiusite
Reference List:
Liferovich, R. P., Sokolova, E. V., Hawthorne, F. C., Laajoki, K. V.O., Gehor, S., Pakhomovsky, Y. A., Sorokhtina, N. V. (2000) Gladiusite, Fe3+2(Fe2+,Mg)4(PO4)(OH)11(H2O), a new hydrothermal mineral species from the phoscorite-carbonatite unit, Kovdor Complex, Kola Peninsula, Russia. The Canadian Mineralogist, 38 (6) 1477-1485 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.38.6.1477
Localities for Gladiusite
Showing 2 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.
Russia (TL) | |
| Can. Mineral. 38:1477-1485. +1 other reference |
| Mikhailova et al. (2015) |
Quick NavTopAbout GladiusiteUnique IdentifiersSimilar NamesIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesStrunz-MindatFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Kovdor Zheleznyi Mine, Kovdor Massif, Kovdorsky District, Murmansk Oblast, Russia