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Griffinite

A valid IMA mineral species
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04699620017770849759142.jpg
Griffinite, etc.

Mount Carmel, Kishon Mid Reach zone 2, Kishon river, Haifa District, Israel
04699620017770849759142.jpg
Griffinite, etc.

Mount Carmel, Kishon Mid Reach zone 2, Kishon river, Haifa District, Israel
00478560017769884144251.jpg
Griffinite, etc.

Mount Carmel, Kishon Mid Reach zone 2, Kishon river, Haifa District, Israel
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About GriffiniteHide

Formula:
Al2Ti4+O5
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
named in honor of William L. Griffin (b. 1941), a geologist at Macquarie University, Australia, for his outstanding contributions to mineralogy, petrology, and geochemistry of the deep crust and lithospheric mantle, including intense investigations of materials from the Mount Carmel area.
Identical to 'Unnamed (Al-analogue of Pseudobrookite)', now a synonym of griffinite, and possibly to UM1987-02-O:AlPTiZr. Chemically similar to machiite. Compare with pseudobrookite.

Occurs as inclusions within corundum xenocrysts from the type locality (Israel), but also occurs in pyrometamorphism-derived buchite, as the dominant pseudobrookite group end-member component in at least some "pseudobrookite" from Scotland, and as a notable but subordinate component in armalcolite from Disko Island, Greenland.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
55971
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:55971:5

IMA Classification of GriffiniteHide

Classification of GriffiniteHide

Strunz-mindat (2026):
4.CB.15

4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
C : Metal: Oxygen = 2: 3,3: 5, and similar
B : With medium-sized cations

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference for Standard
GfnIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of GriffiniteHide

Transparency:
Transparent

Chemistry of GriffiniteHide

Mindat Formula:
Al2Ti4+O5
Element Weights:
Element% weight
O43.996 %
Al29.678 %
Ti26.326 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
O
Al
Ti
Elements listed:
Al, O, Ti - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Chemical AnalysisHide

Oxide wt%:
 1
TiO244.41 %
Al2O355.13 %
FeO0.47 %
MgO0.37 %
Total100.38 %
Total:200.76 %
Empirical formulas:
Sample IDEmpirical Formula
1(Al1.97Mg0.02Fe0.01)Ti1.01O5
Sample references:
IDLocalityReferenceNotes
1Mount Carmel, Kishon Mid Reach zone 2, Kishon river, Haifa District, Israel
Ma, Chi, Cámara, Fernando, Toledo, Vered, Bindi, Luca (2023) Griffinite, Al2TiO5: A New Oxide Mineral from Inclusions in Corundum Xenocrysts from the Mount Carmel Area, Israel. Crystals, 13 (10). 1427 doi:10.3390/cryst13101427
average of eight electron probe (EPMA) microanalyses

Crystallography of GriffiniteHide

Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Cmcm
Setting:
Cmcm
Cell Parameters:
a = 3.58(2) Å, b = 9.44(1) Å, c = 9.65(1) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.379 : 1 : 1.022
Unit Cell V:
326.12 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
4.720 Å(77)
3.347 Å(100)
3.162 Å(39)
2.658 Å(90)
1.903 Å(57)
1.790 Å(55)
1.688 Å(44)
1.485 Å(32)
Locality:
Mount Carmel, Kishon Mid Reach zone 2, Kishon river, Haifa District, Israel
Reference:
Ma, Chi, Cámara, Fernando, Toledo, Vered, Bindi, Luca (2023) Griffinite, Al2TiO5: A New Oxide Mineral from Inclusions in Corundum Xenocrysts from the Mount Carmel Area, Israel. Crystals, 13 (10). 1427 doi:10.3390/cryst13101427
Comments:
X-ray powder diffraction data (in Å for CuKα, Bragg–Brentano geometry) were calculated with the unit cell parameters above, the crystallographic data of synthetic Al2TiO5, and the empirical formula, using Powder Cell version 2.4.

Type Occurrence of GriffiniteHide

Type Locality:
ⓘ Mount Carmel, Kishon Mid Reach zone 2, Kishon river, Haifa District, Israel
General Appearance of Type Material:
As inclusions within corundum xenocrysts. subhedral crystals, ~1–4 μm in size.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mineralogical collections of the Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra “A. Desio”, Università di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 34, 20133 Milan, Italy, registration number MCMGPG-H2021-002.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Formed in melt pockets in corundum-aggregate xenoliths derived from the upper mantle beneath Mount Carmel, Israel. This association forms pseudomorphs and appears to reflect the oxidation breakdown of carmeltazite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
CorundumRutile
Reference:
Ma, Chi, Cámara, Fernando, Toledo, Vered, Bindi, Luca (2023) Griffinite, Al2TiO5: A New Oxide Mineral from Inclusions in Corundum Xenocrysts from the Mount Carmel Area, Israel. Crystals, 13 (10). 1427 doi:10.3390/cryst13101427

Synonyms of GriffiniteHide

Other Language Names for GriffiniteHide

German:Griffinit

Relationship of Griffinite to other SpeciesHide

Member of:
Pseudobrookite Group
Other Members of Pseudobrookite Group:
ArmalcoliteMgTi4+2O5Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
FerropseudobrookiteFe2+Ti4+2O5Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Cmcm
PseudobrookiteFe3+2Ti4+O5Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Cmcm
SassiteTi3+2Ti4+O5Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Cmcm

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
1 photo of Griffinite associated with RutileTiO2
1 photo of Griffinite associated with CorundumAl2O3

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

4.CB.Magnesiohögbomite-6N12SMg5Al11TiO23(OH)Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
4.CB.KidoditeBaMg2Fe16O27Hex. 6/mmm(6/m2/m2/m) : P63/mmc
4.CB.Ferrohögbomite-2N2S[(Fe2+,Mg,Zn,Al)3(Al,Ti,Fe3+)8O15(OH)]2Hex. 6mm : P63mc
4.CB.Zhenruite(MoO3)2 · H2OMon. 2/m : P21/m
4.CB.FuyuaniteMg7Nb6O18(OH)8Trig. 3 : P3
4.CB.VirgilluethiteMoO3 · H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
4.CB.Pengite(Pb8Sb3+3)Σ11Sb5+9O35Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
4.CB.05BrizziiteNaSb5+O3Trig. 3 : R3
4.CB.05TistariteTi3+2O3Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3c
4.CB.05HematiteFe2O3Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3c
4.CB.05EcandrewsiteZnTiO3Trig. 3 : R3
4.CB.05MelanostibiteMn2+2Fe3+Sb5+O6Trig. 3 : R3
4.CB.05'UM1998-11-O-AuHSb'Au+2Sb3+O2(OH)
4.CB.05KarelianiteV3+2O3Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3c
4.CB.05CorundumAl2O3Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3c
4.CB.05EskolaiteCr2O3Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3c
4.CB.05GeikieliteMgTiO3Trig. 3 : R3
4.CB.05AkimotoiteMgSiO3Trig. 3 : R3
4.CB.05'Unnamed (Fe-Cr Oxide)'FeCrO3Trig. 3 : R3
4.CB.05'Auroantimonate'AuSbO3
4.CB.05HemleyiteFe2+SiO3Trig. 3 : R3
4.CB.05IlmeniteFe2+TiO3Trig. 3 : R3
4.CB.05PyrophaniteMn2+TiO3Trig. 3 : R3
4.CB.10Bixbyite-(Fe)(Fe,Mn)2O3Iso.
4.CB.10Bixbyite-(Mn)Mn3+2O3Iso. m3(2/m3) : Ia3
4.CB.10AvicenniteTl3+2O3Iso. m3(2/m3) : Ia3
4.CB.15ArmalcoliteMgTi4+2O5Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
4.CB.15FerropseudobrookiteFe2+Ti4+2O5Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Cmcm
4.CB.15Pseudobrookite Group
4.CB.15SassiteTi3+2Ti4+O5Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Cmcm
4.CB.15PseudobrookiteFe3+2Ti4+O5Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Cmcm
4.CB.20Zincovelesite-6N6SZn3(Fe3+,Mn3+,Al,Ti)8O15(OH)Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1
4.CB.20Magnesiohögbomite-2N4S(Mg8.43Fe2+1.57)Σ=10Al22Ti4+2O46(OH)2Hex. 6mm : P63mc
4.CB.20Magnesiobeltrandoite-2N3S(Mg6Al2)(Al18Fe3+2)O38(OH)2 Trig. 3m : P3m1
4.CB.20Zincohögbomite-2N6S[(Zn,Mg)7(Al,Fe3+,Ti)16O31(OH)]2Hex. 6mm : P63mc
4.CB.20Magnesiohögbomite-6N6S[(Mg,Fe2+)3(Al,Ti,Fe3+)8O15(OH)]6Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
4.CB.20Magnesiohögbomite-2N3S[(Mg,Fe2+,Zn)4(Al,Ti,Fe3+)10O19(OH)]2Trig. 3m(32/m) : P31m
4.CB.20Magnesiohögbomite-2N2S[(Mg,Fe2+)3[Al7(Ti,Fe3+)]O15(OH)]2Hex. 6mm : P63mc
4.CB.20'Ferrohögbomite-6N12S'[(Fe2+,Mg,Zn)5(Al,Ti,Fe3+)12O23(OH)]6Trig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
4.CB.20Zincohögbomite-2N2S[(Zn,Al,Fe2+)3(Al,Fe3+,Ti)8O15(OH)]2Hex. 6mm : P63mc
4.CB.25KleberiteFeTi6O11(OH)5Mon. 2/m : P21/b
4.CB.25PseudorutileFe3+2Ti4+3O9Hex. 622 : P6322
4.CB.30OxyvaniteV3+2V4+O5Mon. 2/m : B2/b
4.CB.30BerdesinskiiteV3+2TiO5Mon.
4.CB.30KaitianiteTi3+2Ti4+O5Mon. 2/m : B2/b
4.CB.35MachiiteAl2Ti3O9Mon. 2/m : B2/b
4.CB.35Vestaite(Ti4+Fe2+)Ti4+3O9Mon. 2/m : B2/b
4.CB.35Olkhonskite(Cr,V)2Ti3O9Mon.
4.CB.35SchreyeriteV3+2Ti4+3O9Mon. 2/m : B2/b
4.CB.40Zincorinmanite-(Zn)Zn2Sb2(Fe3+4Zn2)O14(OH)2Hex. 6mm : P63mc
4.CB.40MajindeiteMg2Mo3O8Hex. 6mm : P63mc
4.CB.40AlmagreraiteCuZnMn4+3O8Orth. mm2 : Pmn21
4.CB.40KamiokiteFe2Mo3O8Hex. 6mm : P63mc
4.CB.40NolaniteV3+8Fe3+2O14(OH)2Hex. 6mm : P63mc
4.CB.40IseiteMn2Mo3O8Hex. 6mm : P63mc
4.CB.40RinmaniteZn2Sb2Mg2Fe4O14(OH)2Hex. 6 : P63
4.CB.45StibioclaudetiteAsSbO3Mon. 2/m : P21/m
4.CB.45ClaudetiteAs2O3Mon. 2/m
4.CB.50SenarmontiteSb2O3Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
4.CB.50ArsenoliteAs2O3Iso. m3m(4/m32/m) : Fd3m
4.CB.55ValentiniteSb2O3Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pccn
4.CB.60BismiteBi2O3Mon. 2/m : P21/b
4.CB.65SphaerobismoiteBi2O3Tet.
4.CB.70SilléniteBi12SiO20Iso. 23 : I23
4.CB.75KyzylkumiteV3+Ti2O5(OH)Mon. 2/m : P21/b
4.CB.80'Tietaiyangite'Fe3+4Fe2+TiO9Hex.
4.CB.85LiuiteFeTiO3Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnma
4.CB.90LuogufengiteFe2O3Orth. mm2 : Pna21
4.CB.95WangdaodeiteFeTiO3Trig. 3m : R3c

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 GriffiniteHide

References for GriffiniteHide

Reference List:
Austin, A. E., Schwartz, C. M. (1953) The crystal structure of aluminium titanate. Acta Crystallographica, 6 (10) 812-813 doi:10.1107/s0365110x53002374
Hamelin, M. (1958): The structure of the composition, TiO2.Al2O3, in comparison with the pseudo-brookite. Bulletin de la Société Chimique de France, 1958, 1559-1566. (In French.)
Goldberg, D. (1968): Contribution a l'étude des systèmes formée par l'alumine avec quelques oxydes de métaux trivalents et tétravalents, en particulier, l'oxyde de titane. Revue Internationale des Hautes Températures et des Réfractaires, 5, 181-94. (in French)
Bayer, G. (1971) Thermal expansion characteristics and stability of pseudobrookite-type compounds, Me3O5. Journal of the Less Common Metals, 24 (2). 129-138 doi:10.1016/0022-5088(71)90091-9
Morosin, B., Lynch, R. W. (1972) Structure studies on Al2TiO5 at room temperature and at 600°C. Acta Crystallographica Section B Structural Crystallography and Crystal Chemistry, 28 (4) 1040-1046 doi:10.1107/s0567740872003681
KATO, ETSURO, DAIMON, KEIJI, TAKAHASHI, JUNICHI (1980) Decomposition Temperature of β-Al2TiO5. Journal of the American Ceramic Society, 63 (5). 355-356 doi:10.1111/j.1151-2916.1980.tb10745.x
Azimov, S. A.; Gulamova, D. D.; Mel'nik, N. N.; Sarkisova, M. Kh.; Suleimanov, S. Kh.; Tsapenko, L. M. (1984): Study of aluminum titanate prepared in a solar furnace. Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Neorg. Mater. 20 (3), 469-471. (in Russian)
Hennicke, H. W.; Lingenberg, W. (1985). The formation and decomposition of aluminum titanate. I. The reaction of formation of aluminum titanate. CFI, Ceram. Forum Int. 62, 439-445.
Gulamova, D. D.; Sarkisova, M. Kh.; Gazizov, I. Sh. (1989): High-temperature x-ray study of titanates with the pseudobrookite-type structure. Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Neorg. Mater. 25(3), 441-445. (In Russian.)
Epicier, T.; Thomas, G.; Wohlfromm, H.; Moya, J.S. (1991) High resolution electron microscopy study of the cationic disorder in Al2TiO5. Journal of Materials Research, 6 (1). 138-145 doi:10.1557/jmr.1991.0138
Norberg, Stefan T., Ishizawa, Nobuo, Hoffmann, Stefan, Yoshimura, Masahiro (2005) Redetermination of β-Al2TiO5 obtained by melt casting. Acta Crystallographica Section E Structure Reports Online, 61 (8). i160-i162 doi:10.1107/s1600536805021331
(2022) Griffinite. Handbook of Mineralogy. Mineralogical Society of America
Miyawaki, Ritsuro, Hatert, Frédéric, Pasero, Marco, Mills, Stuart J. (2022) IMA Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification (CNMNC) – Newsletter 66. European Journal of Mineralogy, 34 (2) 253-257 doi:10.5194/ejm-34-253-2022
Ma, Chi, Cámara, Fernando, Toledo, Vered, Bindi, Luca (2023) Griffinite, Al2TiO5: A New Oxide Mineral from Inclusions in Corundum Xenocrysts from the Mount Carmel Area, Israel. Crystals, 13 (10). 1427 doi:10.3390/cryst13101427

Localities for GriffiniteHide

Showing 2 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.
Israel (TL)
 
  • Haifa District
    • Kishon river
      • Kishon Mid Reach zone 2
Miyawaki et al. (2022)
UK
 
  • Scotland
    • Argyll and Bute
      • Isle of Mull
Frank K. Mazdab collection
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