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Varulite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Varulite
Formula:
NaCaMn2+Mn2+2(PO4)3
Colour:
Dark olive-green
Lustre:
Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Greasy
Hardness:
5
Specific Gravity:
3.5
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named by Percy Quensel in 1937 for its discovery locality: Varuträsk, Västerbotten, Sweden.
Type Locality:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4158
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4158:0
Similar Names
| Faröelite | A synonym of Thomsonite-Ca |
| Variolite | A rock subtype |
| Voraulite (of Delamétherie) | A synonym of Lazulite |
IMA Classification of Varulite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA status notes:
Redefined by the IMA
IMA Formula:
Na2Mn2+(Mn2+Fe3+)(PO4)3
First published:
1937
Approval history:
Redefined by IMA in 2018 (Hatert 2019).
Classification of Varulite
8.AC.10
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
Dana 7th ed.:
38.2.4.1
38.2.3.3
38 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, AND VANADATES
2 : (AB)5(XO4)3
38 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, AND VANADATES
2 : (AB)5(XO4)3
19.12.50
19 : Phosphates
12 : Phosphates of Mn
19 : Phosphates
12 : Phosphates 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.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Vr | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Vr | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Varulite
Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Greasy
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Dark olive-green
Hardness:
5 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
{010} good; {100} poor.
{010} good; {100} poor.
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
3.5 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.89 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Varulite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.708 - 1.720 nγ = 1.722 - 1.732
2V:
Measured: 70°
Birefringence:
0.013
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.012 - 0.014
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
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X=yellow green, Z = grass green.
Chemistry of Varulite
Mindat Formula:
NaCaMn2+Mn2+2(PO4)3
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Varulite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/b
Setting:
C2/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 11.91 Å, b = 12.54 Å, c = 6.46 Å
β = 114.98°
β = 114.98°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.95 : 1 : 0.515
Unit Cell V:
874.56 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Comment:
Min Mag. 43:227 (1979); ICDD 6-487
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 6.35 Å | (30) |
| 5.46 Å | (30) |
| 3.50 Å | (40) |
| 3.12 Å | (30) |
| 2.91 Å | (30) |
| 2.79 Å | (20) |
| 2.74 Å | (100) |
| 2.56 Å | (40) |
Comments:
ICDD 6-487
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 21 : Chemically precipitated carbonate, phosphate, iron formations | |
| 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 |
Type Occurrence of Varulite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Muséum Nationale d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France (type).
Mineralogische Sammlungen, Universität Göttingen, Germany, number GZG.MIN.7.1.43.1 (type).
Mineralogische Sammlungen, Universität Göttingen, Germany, number GZG.MIN.7.1.43.1 (type).
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Granite pegmatite.
Synonyms of Varulite
Other Language Names for Varulite
Relationship of Varulite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Alluaudite Group:
| Alluaudite | (Na,Ca)Mn2+(Fe3+,Mn2+,Fe2+,Mg)2(PO4)3 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| 'Alluaudite-Ca[]' | ◻4Ca4Mn2+4Fe3+8(PO4)12 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| 'Alluaudite-Na[]' | ◻4Na4Mn2+4Fe3+8(PO4)12 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Arseniopleite | NaCaMnMn2(AsO4)3 | Mon. 2/m |
| Badalovite | Na2Mg2Fe(AsO4)3 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Bradaczekite | NaCu4(AsO4)3 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Calciohatertite | NaNaCa(CaFe3+)(AsO4)3 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Calciojohillerite | NaCaMg3(AsO4)3 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Camanchacaite | NaCaMg2[AsO4][AsO3(OH)]2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Canutite | NaMn3[AsO4][AsO3(OH)]2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Caryinite | (Na,Pb)(Ca,Na)CaMn2+2(AsO4)3 | Mon. 2/m |
| Erikapohlite | Cu3(Zn,Cu,Mg)4Ca2(AsO4)6 · 2H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Ferroalluaudite | (Na,Ca)Fe2+(Fe3+,Mn2+,Fe2+)2(PO4)3 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| 'Ferroalluaudite-NaNa' | Na4Na4Fe2+4Fe3+8(PO4)12 | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| 'Ferrohagendorfite' | NaCaFe2+Fe2+2(PO4)3 | Mon. |
| Groatite | NaCaMn2(PO4)[PO3(OH)]2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Hagendorfite | NaCaMn2+Fe2+2(PO4)3 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| 'Hagendorfite-NaNa' | NaNaFe2+(Mn2+,Mn3+)(PO4)3 (?) | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Hatertite | Na2(Ca,Na)(Fe3+,Cu)2(AsO4)3 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Johillerite | Na(Mg,Zn)3Cu(AsO4)3 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Keyite | Cu2+3Zn4Cd2(AsO4)6 · 2H2O | Mon. 2/m |
| Khrenovite | Na3Fe3+2(AsO4)3 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Maghagendorfite | (Na,◻)MgMn2+(Fe2+,Fe3+)2(PO4)3 | Mon. 2/m |
| Magnesiocanutite | NaMnMg2[AsO4]2[AsO2(OH)2] | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Magnesiohatertite | (Na,Ca)2Ca(Mg,Fe3+)2(AsO4)3 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Nickenichite | Na0.8Ca0.4Cu0.4(Mg,Fe)3(AsO4)3 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| O'Danielite | Na(Zn,Mg)3(AsO4)(AsO3OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Paraberzeliite | NaCa2Mg2(AsO4)3 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| 'Unnamed (Mn-analogue of Alluaudite)' | (Na,Ca)Mn2+(Mn3+,Fe3+,Fe2+)2(PO4)3 | |
| 'Unnamed (Na-Mg Arsenate Hydroxyarsenate)' | NaMg3(AsO4)(AsO3OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| 'Unnamed (Na-Zn-H Arsenate Hydroxyarsenate)' | Na(Na0.6Zn0.4)Zn2(H0.6AsO4)(AsO3OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Yazganite | NaFe3+2(Mg,Mn2+)(AsO4)3 · H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
| Zhanghuifenite | Na3Mn4Mg2Al(PO4)6 | Mon. 2/m |
| Zincobradaczekite | NaZn2Cu2(AsO4)3 | Mon. 2/m : B2/b |
Forms a series with:
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. | 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 | Hagendorfite | NaCaMn2+Fe2+2(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.10 | 'Ferrohagendorfite' | NaCaFe2+Fe2+2(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.10 | Johillerite | Na(Mg,Zn)3Cu(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.10 | Nickenichite | Na0.8Ca0.4Cu0.4(Mg,Fe)3(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.10 | Arseniopleite | NaCaMnMn2(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.10 | Groatite | NaCaMn2(PO4)[PO3(OH)]2 |
| 8.AC.10 | Alluaudite | (Na,Ca)Mn2+(Fe3+,Mn2+,Fe2+,Mg)2(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.10 | Bradaczekite | NaCu4(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.10 | Caryinite | (Na,Pb)(Ca,Na)CaMn2+2(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.10 | Ferroalluaudite | (Na,Ca)Fe2+(Fe3+,Mn2+,Fe2+)2(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.10 | Maghagendorfite | (Na,◻)MgMn2+(Fe2+,Fe3+)2(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.15 | Ferrowyllieite | (Na,Ca,Mn)(Fe,Mn)(Fe,Fe,Mg)Al(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.15 | Qingheiite | NaNaMn2+(MgAl)(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.15 | Rosemaryite | (Na,Ca,Mn)(Mn,Fe2+)(Fe3+,Mg)Al(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.15 | Ferroqingheiite | NaNaFe2+(MgAl)(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.15 | Ferrorosemaryite | ◻NaFe2+Fe3+Al(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.15 | Bobfergusonite | Na2Mn5FeAl(PO4)6 |
| 8.AC.15 | Wyllieite | (Na,Ca,Mn)(Mn,Fe)(Fe,Mg)Al(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.17 | Czochralskiite | Na4Ca3Mg(PO4)4 |
| 8.AC.18 | Manitobaite | Na16Mn2+ 25Al8(PO4)30 |
| 8.AC.20 | Marićite | NaFe2+(PO4) |
| 8.AC.25 | Schäferite | (NaCa2)Mg2(VO4)3 |
| 8.AC.25 | Berzeliite | (NaCa2)Mg2(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.25 | Matyhite | Ca18(Ca,◻)2Fe2+2(PO4)14 |
| 8.AC.25 | Hedegaardite | (Ca,Na)9(Ca,Na)Mg(PO4)6(PO3OH) |
| 8.AC.25 | Manganberzeliite | (NaCa2)Mn2+2(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.25 | Palenzonaite | (NaCa2)Mn2+2(VO4)3 |
| 8.AC.30 | Brianite | Na2CaMg(PO4)2 |
| 8.AC.35 | Vitusite-(Ce) | Na3(Ce,La,Nd)(PO4)2 |
| 8.AC.40 | Bario-olgite | (Ba,Sr)(Na,Sr,REE)2Na(PO4)2 · |
| 8.AC.40 | Olgite | (Sr,Ba)(Na,Sr,REE)2Na(PO4)2 |
| 8.AC.45 | Magnesiochangesite-(Ce) | (Ca8Ce)◻Mg(PO4)7 |
| 8.AC.45 | Tuite | Ca3(PO4)2 |
| 8.AC.45 | Ferromerrillite | Ca9NaFe2+(PO4)7 |
| 8.AC.45 | Strontiowhitlockite | Sr9Mg(PO4)6(PO3OH) |
| 8.AC.45 | Magnesiochangesite-(Y) | (Ca8Y)◻ Mg(PO4)7 |
| 8.AC.45 | Changesite-(Ce) | (Ca8Ce)◻Fe2+(PO4)7 |
| 8.AC.45 | Merrillite | Ca9NaMg(PO4)7 |
| 8.AC.45 | Whitlockite | Ca9Mg(PO4)6(PO3OH) |
| 8.AC.47 | Iwateite | Na2BaMn(PO4)2 |
| 8.AC.47 | Ozerovaite | Na2KAl3(AsO4)4 |
| 8.AC.47 | Yurmarinite | Na7(Fe3+,Mg,Cu)4(AsO4)6 |
| 8.AC.47 | Pansnerite | K3Na3(Fe3+,Al)6(AsO4)8 |
| 8.AC.47 | Anatolyite | Na6(Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe3+)3Al(AsO4)6 |
| 8.AC.50 | Fillowite | Na3CaMn2+11(PO4)9 |
| 8.AC.50 | Galileiite | Na3Fe2+Fe2+11(PO4)9 |
| 8.AC.50 | Johnsomervilleite | Na3CaFe11(PO4)9 |
| 8.AC.50 | Xenophyllite | Na4Fe2+7(PO4)6 |
| 8.AC.50 | Udinaite | NaMg4(VO4)3 |
| 8.AC.50 |
Yukiiri, Chiyoda-machi, Kasumigaura City, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan