Metaswitzerite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Metaswitzerite
George S. Switzer
Formula:
Mn2+3(PO4)2 · 4H2O
Colour:
Light golden brown, pale pink, white
Lustre:
Adamantine, Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Pearly
Hardness:
2½
Specific Gravity:
2.95
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Material originally described as switzerite by John S. White, Peter B. Leavens in 1967, was defined as metaswitzerite by John S. White, Peter B. Leavens, and Pier F. Zanazzi in 1986.
The original material was found to be a dehydrated product (meta) of the redefined switzerite.
The original material was found to be a dehydrated product (meta) of the redefined switzerite.
Isostructural with:
Metaswitzerite forms when switzerite rapidly and irreversibly dehydrates in air (within minutes).
Structurally related to castellaroite.
Structurally related to castellaroite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2688
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2688:4
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
1e0b4ff4-fde8-40f3-bb4c-5936ec3cbdf7
IMA Classification of Metaswitzerite
Approved
First published:
1967
Classification of Metaswitzerite
8.CE.25
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
E : With only medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O about 1:2.5
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
E : With only medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O about 1:2.5
40.3.5.2
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
3 : A3(XO4)2·xH2O
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
3 : A3(XO4)2·xH2O
19.12.1
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.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Msw | 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 Metaswitzerite
Adamantine, Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Pearly
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Light golden brown, pale pink, white
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Flexible
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect on {100}
Fair on {010}
Perfect on {100}
Fair on {010}
Density:
2.95 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.18 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Also D = 2.96
Optical Data of Metaswitzerite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.602 nβ = 1.628 nγ = 1.632
2V:
Measured: 42° , Calculated: 42°
Birefringence:
0.030
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.030
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
very weak r < v
Optical Extinction:
Y = b; Z ∧ c = 10.5°.
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
Light to dark red-brown
Chemistry of Metaswitzerite
Mindat Formula:
Mn2+3(PO4)2 · 4H2O
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Metaswitzerite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P2/b
Setting:
P2/a
Cell Parameters:
a = 17.099 Å, b = 12.694 Å, c = 8.282 Å
β = 95.91°
β = 95.91°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.347 : 1 : 0.652
Unit Cell V:
1,788.09 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
8
Morphology:
Tabular to bladed bent crystals. Forms include {100} (dominant), and {210} (well developed). Common are {410}, {101}, {101}, and {111} and less common {111}.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0015677 | Metaswitzerite | Fanfani L, Zanazzi P F (1979) Switzerite: its chemical formula and crystal structure Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen 26 255-269 | 1979 | North Carolina | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 8.55 Å | (100) |
| 7.128 Å | (40) |
| 6.775 Å | (40) |
| 3.175 Å | (40) |
| 2.934 Å | (40) |
| 2.842 Å | (40) |
| 2.760 Å | (40) |
| 2.585 Å | (60) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) | |
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites | |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 56 : Slag and smelter minerals (see also #51 and #55) |
Geological Setting:
Granite pegmatite, zinc-bearing phosphorus deposits
Type Occurrence of Metaswitzerite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Flat rosettes, as small micaceous masses and as rare bladed crystals to 3 mm.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom, number BM 1967,407.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, USA, numbers 119777 and 120230.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, USA, numbers 119777 and 120230.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Fracture surfaces in granite pegmatite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Metaswitzerite
German:Metaswitzerit
Spanish:Metaswitzerita
Relationship of Metaswitzerite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
| Ludlamite | Fe2+3(PO4)2 · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Sterlinghillite | Mn2+3(AsO4)2 · 3H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Switzerite | Mn2+3(PO4)2 · 7H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 9 photos of Metaswitzerite associated with Vivianite | Fe2+Fe2+2(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8 photos of Metaswitzerite associated with Scholzite | CaZn2(PO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 6 photos of Metaswitzerite associated with Hureaulite | Mn2+5(PO3OH)2(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 4 photos of Metaswitzerite associated with Rockbridgeite | Fe2+Fe3+4(PO4)3(OH)5 |
| 4 photos of Metaswitzerite associated with Cryptomelane | K(Mn4+7Mn3+)O16 |
| 4 photos of Metaswitzerite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 3 photos of Metaswitzerite associated with Albite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
| 3 photos of Metaswitzerite associated with Chalcophanite | ZnMn4+3O7 · 3H2O |
| 2 photos of Metaswitzerite associated with Bermanite | Mn2+Mn3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 2 photos of Metaswitzerite associated with Tarbuttite | Zn2(PO4)(OH) |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.CE.X | Babánekite | Cu3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE. | Monteneroite | Cu2+Mn2+2(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.05 | Chudobaite | (Mg,Zn)5(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 10H2O |
| 8.CE.05 | Geigerite | Mn2+5(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 10H2O |
| 8.CE.10 | Newberyite | Mg(PO3OH) · 3H2O |
| 8.CE.15 | Brassite | Mg(HAsO4) · 4H2O |
| 8.CE.20 | Phosphorrösslerite | Mg(PO3OH) · 7H2O |
| 8.CE.20 | Rösslerite | Mg(HAsO4) · 7H2O |
| 8.CE.25 | Switzerite | Mn2+3(PO4)2 · 7H2O |
| 8.CE.30 | Lindackerite | CuCu4(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 9H2O |
| 8.CE.30 | Ondrušite | CaCu4(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 10H2O |
| 8.CE.30 | Veselovskýite | ZnCu4(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 9H2O |
| 8.CE.30 | Pradetite | CoCu4(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 9H2O |
| 8.CE.30 | Klajite | MnCu4(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 9-10H2O |
| 8.CE.30 | Hloušekite | (Ni,Co)Cu4(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)2 · 9H2O |
| 8.CE.35 | Bobierrite | Mg3(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Annabergite | Ni3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Arupite | Ni3(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Barićite | (Mg,Fe)3(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Erythrite | Co3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Ferrisymplesite | Fe3+3(AsO4)2(OH)3 · 5H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Hörnesite | Mg3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Köttigite | Zn3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Manganohörnesite | Mn2+3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Parasymplesite | Fe2+3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Vivianite | Fe2+Fe2+2(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.40 | Pakhomovskyite | Co3(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.45 | Symplesite | Fe2+3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.50 | Cattiite | Mg3(PO4)2 · 22H2O |
| 8.CE.55 | Koninckite | Fe3+PO4 · 3H2O |
| 8.CE.60 | Kaňkite | FeAsO4 · 3.5H2O |
| 8.CE.60 | Hilarionite | Fe3+2(SO4)(AsO4)(OH) · 6H2O |
| 8.CE.65 | Steigerite | Al(VO4) · 3H2O |
| 8.CE.70 | Metaschoderite | Al2(PO4)(VO4) · 6H2O |
| 8.CE.70 | Schoderite | Al2(PO4)(VO4) · 8H2O |
| 8.CE.75 | Malhmoodite | FeZr(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CE.75 | Zigrasite | MgZr(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CE.75 | UM2009-11-PO:CaHZr | CaZr[PO4]2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CE.80 | Santabarbaraite | Fe3+3(PO4)2(OH)3 · 5H2O |
| 8.CE.85 | Metaköttigite | (Zn,Fe,Fe)3(AsO4)2 · 8(H2O,OH) |
| 8.CE.90 | Slavkovite | Cu13(AsO4)6(AsO3OH)4 · 23H2O |
Fluorescence of Metaswitzerite
Not fluorescent in UV
Other Information
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 Metaswitzerite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2688.html
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References for Metaswitzerite
Reference List:
Leavens, Peter B., White, John S. (1967) Switzerite, (Mn,Fe)3(PO4)2·4H2O, a new mineral. American Mineralogist, 52 (11-12) 1595-1602 (redefined as metaswitzerite)
Fanfani, L., Zanazzi, P. F. (1979) Switzerite: Its chemical formula and crystal structure. TMPM Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen, 26 (4). 255-269 doi:10.1007/bf01089840
White, J. S., Leavens, P. B., Zanazzi, P. F. (1986) Switzerite redefined as Mn3(PO4)2·7H2O, and metaswitzerite, Mn3(PO4)2·4H2O. American Mineralogist, 71 (9-10) 1221-1223
Zanazzi, P. F., Leavens, P. B., White, J. S. (1986) Crystal structure of switzerite, Mn3(PO4)2·7H2O, and its relationship to metaswitzerite, Mn3(PO4)2·4H2O. American Mineralogist, 71 (9-10) 1224-1228
Localities for Metaswitzerite
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.
Argentina | |
| Biglia et al. (2021) |
Australia | |
| Pring et al. (1993) +1 other reference |
| Deyhdration from switzerite cf. Zanazzi et al. (1986) |
| Australian Journal of Mineralogy. Vol ... |
Brazil | |
| Sergio Varvello collection |
| Tony Nikischer and Luis Menezes | |
| Baijot et al. (2012) |
Canada | |
| Robinson et al. (1992) |
| Robinson et al. (1992) | |
Finland | |
| Deyhdration from switzerite cf. Zanazzi et al. (1986) |
Germany | |
| Deyhdration from switzerite cf. Zanazzi et al. (1986) |
| Blaß et al. (1994) +2 other references |
Italy | |
| VIGNOLA et al. (2007) |
| Vignola et al. (2011) +1 other reference | |
Japan | |
| Chichibu City. Mineralogical Society of Japan et al. (in Japanese) +2 other references |
Portugal | |
| Alves (2016) |
| Deyhdration from switzerite cf. Zanazzi et al. (1986) |
| Sergio Varvello collection | |
USA | |
| Former Ronald Januzzi collection |
| Januzzi et al. (1976) +1 other reference |
| Ray Sprague +1 other reference |
| King et al. (1994) +1 other reference |
| King et al. (1994) +1 other reference | |
| Neil Wintringham |
| Dick Dionne |
| Nashua Min. Soc. Display Cat. |
| Leavens et al. (1967) +5 other references |
| Zanazzi et al. (1986) |
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Iron Monarch Main Pit, Iron Knob, Middleback Range, Eyre Peninsula, South Australia, Australia