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Strontiowhitlockite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Strontiowhitlockite
Formula:
Sr9Mg(PO4)6(PO3OH)
Colour:
White
Lustre:
Dull
Hardness:
5
Specific Gravity:
3.64
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Member of:
Name:
Named as the strontium analogue of Whitlockite.
Whitlockite Group.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3742
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3742:2
IMA Classification of Strontiowhitlockite
Classification of Strontiowhitlockite
8.AC.45
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
A : Phosphates, etc. without additional anions, without H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
A : Phosphates, etc. without additional anions, without H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
38.3.4.2
38 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, AND VANADATES
3 : (AB)3(XO4)2
38 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, AND VANADATES
3 : (AB)3(XO4)2
19.5.1
19 : Phosphates
5 : Phosphates of Sr and Ba
19 : Phosphates
5 : Phosphates of Sr and Ba
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Swht | 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 Strontiowhitlockite
Dull
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
White
Streak:
White
Hardness:
5 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Moderate {001} cleavage(or parting).
Moderate {001} cleavage(or parting).
Density:
3.64(2) g/cm3 (Measured) 3.60 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Strontiowhitlockite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.601 nε = 1.598
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.003
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 (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 uniaxial interference figure - the conoscopic
(convergent-light, Bertrand-lens-in) view, for a grain cut with the optic axis
centred and vertical. The coloured rings are isochromatics, computed with the
same physics as the Michel-Lévy bar above; the dark cross is the isogyre.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Strontiowhitlockite
Mindat Formula:
Sr9Mg(PO4)6(PO3OH)
Element Weights:
Common Impurities:
Ca
Crystallography of Strontiowhitlockite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m - Ditrigonal Pyramidal
Space Group:
R3c
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.644(9) Å, c = 39.54(6) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 3.715
Unit Cell V:
3,879.51 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
6
Comment:
Space group R3c assigned by analogy with whitlockite.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.288 Å | (37) |
| 3.071 Å | (29) |
| 3.004 Å | (100) |
| 2.661 Å | (80) |
| 2.246 Å | (26) |
| 1.940 Å | (29) |
| 1.783 Å | (36) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 36 : Carbonatites, kimberlites, and related igneous rocks |
Type Occurrence of Strontiowhitlockite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Pipes and roselike aggregates composed of rounded tabular crystals. Crystals are up to 5-8 µm across are flattened on {001}. The pipes are up to 2 mm long and 20 µm in diameter, with a radial structure, such that the [001] axis of each crystal is subparallel to the direction of pipe elongation. The inner volumes of the pipes are occupied by "spindles" of the Sr-Mg phosphate, that exhibit a hexagonal cross-section.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mining Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia, 2022/1.
A.E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, r558.
A.E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, r558.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
In dolomite carbonatite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Strontiowhitlockite
Other Language Names for Strontiowhitlockite
Relationship of Strontiowhitlockite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Whitlockite Subgroup:
| Hedegaardite | (Ca,Na)9(Ca,Na)Mg(PO4)6(PO3OH) | Trig. 3m : R3c |
| Whitlockite | Ca9Mg(PO4)6(PO3OH) | Trig. 3m : R3c |
| Wopmayite | Ca6Na3◻Mn(PO4)3(PO3OH)4 | Trig. 3m : R3c |
Common Associates
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.AC. | 'Crocobelonite-1M' | CaFe3+2O(PO4)2 |
| 8.AC. | Magnesioqingheiite | Na2Mg(MgAl)(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC. | Manganobadalovite | NaNaMn(MgFe3+)(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC. | Yakubovichite | CaNi2Fe3+(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC. | Changesite-(Y) | (Ca8Y)◻Fe2+(PO4)7 |
| 8.AC. | Babunaite-(Nd) | NdAsO4 |
| 8.AC. | Crocobelonite | CaFe3+2O(PO4)2 |
| 8.AC. | Wopmayite | Ca6Na3◻Mn(PO4)3(PO3OH)4 |
| 8.AC. | Beershevaite | CaFe3+3(PO4)3O |
| 8.AC. | Epiebnerite | (NH4)Zn(PO4) |
| 8.AC. | Ebnerite | (NH4)Zn(PO4) |
| 8.AC.X | Dyrnaesite-(La) | Na8Ce4+(La,REE)2(PO4)6 |
| 8.AC. | Edtollite | K2NaCu5Fe3+O2(AsO4)4 |
| 8.AC. | Angarfite | NaFe3+5(PO4)4(OH)4 · 4H2O |
| 8.AC. | Kabalovite | Fe2+3Fe3+4(PO4)6 |
| 8.AC. | Nazarchukite | Ca2NiFe3+2(PO4)4 |
| 8.AC. | Calciohatertite | NaNaCa(CaFe3+)(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC. | Alumoedtollite | K2NaCu5AlO2(AsO4)4 |
| 8.AC.02 | Grigorievite | Cu3Fe3+2Al2(VO4)6 |
| 8.AC.02 | Koksharovite | CaMg2Fe3+4(VO4)6 |
| 8.AC.02 | Ziminaite | Fe3+ 6 (VO4)6 |
| 8.AC.05 | Hatertite | Na2(Ca,Na)(Fe3+,Cu)2(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.05 | Erikapohlite | Cu3(Zn,Cu,Mg)4Ca2(AsO4)6 · 2H2O |
| 8.AC.05 | 'Unnamed (Na-Mg Arsenate Hydroxyarsenate)' | NaMg3(AsO4)(AsO3OH)2 |
| 8.AC.05 | 'Unnamed (Na-Zn-H Arsenate Hydroxyarsenate)' | Na(Na0.6Zn0.4)Zn2(H0.6AsO4)(AsO3OH)2 |
| 8.AC.05 | Calciojohillerite | NaCaMg3(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.05 | Magnesiohatertite | (Na,Ca)2Ca(Mg,Fe3+)2(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.05 va | 'Alluaudite-Na[]' | ◻4Na4Mn2+4Fe3+8(PO4)12 |
| 8.AC.05 va | 'Alluaudite-Ca[]' | ◻4Ca4Mn2+4Fe3+8(PO4)12 |
| 8.AC.05 va | 'Ferroalluaudite-NaNa' | Na4Na4Fe2+4Fe3+8(PO4)12 |
| 8.AC.05 | 'Hagendorfite-NaNa' | NaNaFe2+(Mn2+,Mn3+)(PO4)3 (?) |
| 8.AC.05 | O'Danielite | Na(Zn,Mg)3(AsO4)(AsO3OH)2 |
| 8.AC.05 | Howardevansite | NaCuFe2(VO4)3 |
| 8.AC.05 | Khrenovite | Na3Fe3+2(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.05 | Zincobradaczekite | NaZn2Cu2(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.05 | Paraberzeliite | NaCa2Mg2(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.05 | Badalovite | Na2Mg2Fe(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.05 | Magnesiocanutite | NaMnMg2[AsO4]2[AsO2(OH)2] |
| 8.AC.05 | Manganohatertite | NaNaCa(MnFe3+)(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.05 | Camanchacaite | NaCaMg2[AsO4][AsO3(OH)]2 |
| 8.AC.07 | Zhanghuifenite | Na3Mn4Mg2Al(PO4)6 |
| 8.AC.07 | Ferrobobfergusonite | Na2Fe2+5Fe3+Al(PO4)6 |
| 8.AC.10 |
Kovdor Zheleznyi Mine, Kovdor Massif, Kovdorsky District, Murmansk Oblast, Russia