Dittmarite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Dittmarite
Formula:
(NH4)Mg(PO4) · H2O
Colour:
Colourless
Hardness:
5
Specific Gravity:
2.15
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named in 1887 (described in 1902) by R.W. Emerson MacIvor in honor of William Dittmar (14/15 April 1833, Umstadt, Germany – 9 February 1892, Glasgow, Scotland), Professor of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland.
This page provides mineralogical data about Dittmarite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1297
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1297:9
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
7c2dc882-b594-47ec-bf54-f563e1ea725d
IMA Classification of Dittmarite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1887
Classification of Dittmarite
8.CH.20
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
H : With large and medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O < 1:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
H : With large and medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O < 1:1
40.1.2.1
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
1 : AB(XO4)·xH2O
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
1 : AB(XO4)·xH2O
19.3.22
19 : Phosphates
3 : Phosphates of Be and Mg
19 : Phosphates
3 : Phosphates of Be and Mg
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 |
---|---|---|
Dmr | 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 Dittmarite
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
5 on Mohs scale
Density:
2.15 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.19 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Dittmarite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.549 nβ = 1.569 nγ = 1.571
2V:
Measured: 40° , Calculated: 34°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.022
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:
none
Chemistry of Dittmarite
Mindat Formula:
(NH4)Mg(PO4) · H2O
Crystallography of Dittmarite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mm2 - Pyramidal
Space Group:
Pmn21
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.606 Å, b = 8.758 Å, c = 4.788 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.64 : 1 : 0.547
Unit Cell V:
235.08 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Rhombic crystals.
Comment:
Cell parameters from Mrose 1971.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
8.77 Å | (100) |
2.80 Å | (50) |
2.92 Å | (40) |
4.72 Å | (30) |
4.20 Å | (25) |
2.50 Å | (20) |
2.28 Å | (10) |
Comments:
Skipton lava tube caves, Australia. ICDD 20-663.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
52 : Guano- and urine-derived minerals | <0.4 |
Type Occurrence of Dittmarite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Small rhombic, transparent crystals.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No designated type material.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
A dry bat guano cave.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
MacIvor, R.W.E. (1887) On Australian bat guano and some minerals occurring therein. The Chemical News and Journal of Industrial Science, London: 55: 215-216.
Other Language Names for Dittmarite
German:Dittmarit
Spanish:Dittmarita
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
8.CH.05 | Walentaite | Fe3+3(P0.84As0.16O4)2(O,OH)6As3+2.56Ca0.42Na0.28Mn2+0.35Fe2+0.30O6.1(OH)0.9(H2O)0.9 |
8.CH.05 | Natrowalentaite | [Fe3+0.5Na0.5(H2O)6][NaAs3+2(Fe3+2.33W6+0.67)(PO4)2O7] |
8.CH.05 | Halilsarpite | [Mg(H2O)6][CaAs3+2(Fe3+2.67Mo6+0.33)(AsO4)2O7] |
8.CH.10 | Anapaite | Ca2Fe2+(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
8.CH.15 | Picropharmacolite | Ca4Mg(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 11H2O |
8.CH.20 | Niahite | (NH4)(Mn2+,Mg)(PO4) · H2O |
8.CH.25 | Francoanellite | K3Al5(PO3OH)6(PO4)2 · 12H2O |
8.CH.25 | Taranakite | (K,NH4)Al3(PO4)3(OH) · 9H2O |
8.CH.30 | Schertelite | (NH4)2MgH2(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
8.CH.35 | Hannayite | (NH4)2Mg3H4(PO4)4 · 8H2O |
8.CH.40 | Struvite | (NH4)Mg(PO4) · 6H2O |
8.CH.40 | Struvite-(K) | KMg(PO4) · 6H2O |
8.CH.40 | Hazenite | KNaMg2(PO4)2 · 14H2O |
8.CH.45 | Rimkorolgite | (Mg,Mn)5(Ba,Sr,Ca)(PO4)4 · 8H2O |
8.CH.50 | Bakhchisaraitsevite | Na2Mg5(PO4)4 · 7H2O |
8.CH.55 | Fahleite | CaZn5Fe3+2(AsO4)6 · 14H2O |
8.CH.55 | Smolyaninovite | Co3Fe3+2(AsO4)4 · 11H2O |
8.CH.60 | Barahonaite-(Al) | (Ca,Cu,Na,Fe3+,Al)12Al2(AsO4)8(OH,Cl)x · nH2O |
8.CH.60 | Barahonaite-(Fe) | (Ca,Cu,Na,Fe3+,Al)12Fe3+2(AsO4)8(OH,Cl)x · nH2O |
8.CH.70 | Epifanovite | NaCaCu5(PO4)4[AsO2(OH)2] · 7H2O |
8.CH.75 | Esdanaite-(Ce) | NaMnCe(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
Does not lose water when exposed to the atmosphere, but when heated to 100-105°C for a time, it gives up water and loses transparency.
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 Dittmarite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1297.html
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References for Dittmarite
Reference List:
Localities for Dittmarite
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).
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.
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia | |
| Snow et al. (2014) |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
Botswana | |
| Martini (1996) +1 other reference |
Chile | |
| XRD by Joachim Lorenz |
| samples analysed by Gerhard Mohn and ... +1 other reference |
Nestola et al. (2012) | |
forum.amiminerals.org (2016) | |
Ethiopia | |
| Tribolo et al. (2017) |
Namibia | |
| Martini (1992) |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
Thailand | |
| Lenoble et al. (2006, September) |
Quick NavTopAbout DittmariteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography X-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence Other LanguagesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Skipton Caves, Mount Widderin, Skipton, Corangamite Shire, Victoria, Australia