Switzerite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Switzerite
George S. Switzer
Formula:
Mn2+3(PO4)2 · 7H2O
Colour:
Pale pink, pinkish brown
Lustre:
Vitreous, Pearly
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
2.535
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named by John S. White and Peter B. Leavens in 1967 in honor of George Shirley Switzer (11 June 1915 Petaluma, California, USA - 23 March 2008), Curator of Minerals, US National Museum (Smithsonian Institution), Washington D.C., USA.
In 1986, White, Leavans, and Pier F. Zanazzi redefined switzerite and renamed the original type material as metaswitzerite.
In 1986, White, Leavans, and Pier F. Zanazzi redefined switzerite and renamed the original type material as metaswitzerite.
Isostructural with:
Switzerite rapidly and irreversibly dehydrates in air within minutes to Metaswitzerite which contains only 4 water molecules per formula unit. All "switzerites" in collections should be considered metaswitzerites, unless there is some analytical evidence to the contrary.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3848
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3848:1
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
3bfa6fde-e42c-4db1-8dc6-9c776dcb9aa1
IMA Classification of Switzerite
Approved
First published:
1986
Classification of Switzerite
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
40.3.5.4
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
3 : A3(XO4)2·xH2O
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
3 : A3(XO4)2·xH2O
19.12.23
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Swt | 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 Switzerite
Vitreous, Pearly
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Comment:
Pearly on {001}
Colour:
Pale pink, pinkish brown
Comment:
Becoming yellowish or brownish on dehydration.
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
{001}
{001}
Comment:
Somewhat flexible.
Density:
2.535 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.562 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Switzerite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.560(1) nβ = 1.574(1) nγ = 1.580(1)
2V:
Measured: 70° , Calculated: 66°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.020
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:
Low
Dispersion:
r > v moderate
Chemistry of Switzerite
Mindat Formula:
Mn2+3(PO4)2 · 7H2O
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Switzerite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Setting:
P21/a
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.528(4) Å, b = 13.166(5) Å, c = 11.812(4) Å
β = 110.05(3)°
β = 110.05(3)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.648 : 1 : 0.897
Unit Cell V:
1,245.87 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Bladed crystals, flattened on {100} and elongated on [001].
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
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Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
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CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
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Rotation
Stop | Start
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Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0001047 | Switzerite | 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 1224-1228 |  | 1986 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 11.12 Å | (100) |
| 8.47 Å | (50) |
| 3.37 Å | (90) |
| 2.94 Å | (30) |
| 2.353 Å | (40) |
| 2.137 Å | (50) |
| 1.612 Å | (30) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 22 : Hydration and low-𝑇 subsurface aqueous alteration (see also #23) |
Type Occurrence of Switzerite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Crystals, tabular on {001} or bladed and elongated on {100}. The size is less than 5 mm.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom, number BM 1967,407.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, USA, number 120871.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, USA, number 120871.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
A late stage hydrothermal mineral formed in fractures and seams cutting granite pegmatite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Leavens, P.B., White, J.S. (1967) Switzerite, (Mn, Fe)3(PO4)2·4H2O, a new mineral. American Mineralogist: 52: 1595-1602.
Other Language Names for Switzerite
German:Switzerit
Russian:Свитцерит
Simplified Chinese:水磷铁锰石
Spanish:Switzerita
Traditional Chinese:水磷鐵錳石
Relationship of Switzerite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
| Ludlamite | Fe2+3(PO4)2 · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
| Metaswitzerite | Mn2+3(PO4)2 · 4H2O | Mon. 2/m : P2/b |
| Sterlinghillite | Mn2+3(AsO4)2 · 3H2O | Tric. 1 : P1 |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 8 photos of Switzerite associated with Scholzite | CaZn2(PO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 4 photos of Switzerite associated with Rockbridgeite | Fe2+Fe3+4(PO4)3(OH)5 |
| 4 photos of Switzerite associated with Parahopeite | Zn3(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 2 photos of Switzerite associated with Arsenopyrite | FeAsS |
| 2 photos of Switzerite associated with Cryptomelane | K(Mn4+7Mn3+)O16 |
| 1 photo of Switzerite associated with Jahnsite-(CaMnFe) | {Ca}{Mn2+}{Fe2+2}{Fe3+2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2O |
| 1 photo of Switzerite associated with Bermanite | Mn2+Mn3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 1 photo of Switzerite associated with Hematite | Fe2O3 |
| 1 photo of Switzerite associated with Rhodochrosite | MnCO3 |
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 | Metaswitzerite | Mn2+3(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 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 |
Other Information
Special Storage/
Display Requirements:
Display Requirements:
Dehydrates within minutes to metaswitzerite.
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 Switzerite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3848.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Switzerite
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
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
Localities for Switzerite
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.
Australia | |
| Pring et al. (1993) +1 other reference |
| Johnston et al. (1978) |
Brazil | |
| Tony Nikischer and Luis Menezes |
| Sergio Varvello collection | |
Canada | |
| 153-155. +1 other reference |
| Robinson et al. (1992) |
| Robinson et al. (1992) | |
Finland | |
| Lahti (1981) |
| Lahti (1981) | |
| Geological Survey of Finland Bulletin ... | |
| Lahti |
Germany | |
| www.berthold-weber.de (2001) +1 other reference |
| Blaß et al. (1994) +2 other references |
Italy | |
| VIGNOLA et al. (2007) |
| Vignola P. et al. (2011) | |
Japan | |
| K. Nishikubo et al. (2005) |
Portugal | |
| Rewitzer et al. (1984) +1 other reference |
| Grey et al. (2024) | |
Romania | |
| Hirtopanu et al. (2015) |
Spain | |
| Calvo Rebollar et al. (2022) |
UK | |
| Journal of The Russell Society |
USA | |
| Dunn et al. (1984) +1 other reference |
| Januzzi et al. (1976) |
| Gene Bearss |
| Ray Sprague +1 other reference |
| King et al. (1994) +1 other reference |
| King et al. (6) | |
| Neil Wintringham |
| |
| Horton et al. (1981) +3 other references |
| Campbell et al. (1985) |
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Hagendorf South Pegmatite, Hagendorf, Waidhaus, Neustadt an der Waldnaab District, Upper Palatinate, Bavaria, Germany