Farringtonite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Farringtonite
Oliver Cummings Farrington
Formula:
Mg3(PO4)2
Colour:
Colorless, white, pale yellow to amber yellow
Specific Gravity:
2.74
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named by E. R. DuFresne and S. K. Roy in 1961 in honor of Oliver Cummings Farrington [1864 Brewer, ME, USA - 1935 Chicago, IL, USA], mineralogist and specialist in meteorites, curator of Geology, Field Museum, Chicago, IL, USA.
Type Locality:
Dimorph of:
This page provides mineralogical data about Farringtonite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1456
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1456:0
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
518c7c30-75df-430f-8655-c549b776e84c
IMA Classification of Farringtonite
Approved
First published:
1961
Classification of Farringtonite
8.AB.05
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
A : Phosphates, etc. without additional anions, without H2O
B : With medium-sized cations
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
A : Phosphates, etc. without additional anions, without H2O
B : With medium-sized cations
Dana 7th ed.:
38.3.1.2
38.3.1.2
38 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, AND VANADATES
3 : (AB)3(XO4)2
38 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, AND VANADATES
3 : (AB)3(XO4)2
19.3.14
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Frt | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Farringtonite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Farringtonite
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Colorless, white, pale yellow to amber yellow
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
{100} and {010}, fair to good.
{100} and {010}, fair to good.
Density:
2.74 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.76 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Farringtonite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.540 nβ = 1.544 nγ = 1.559
2V:
Measured: 47° to 55°, Calculated: 56°
Birefringence:
0.019
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.019
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
Optical Extinction:
Z ∧ c = 16°.
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Farringtonite
Mindat Formula:
Mg3(PO4)2
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Farringtonite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.600 Å, b = 8.236 Å, c = 5.076 Å
β = 94.06°
β = 94.06°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.923 : 1 : 0.616
Unit Cell V:
316.93 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Comment:
P21/n; Acta Chemica Scandanivica 22:1466 (1968) structure
Crystal Structure
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0011901 | Farringtonite | Nord A G, Kierkegaard P (1968) The crystal structure of Mg3(PO4)2 Acta Chemica Scandinavica 22 1466-1474 | 1968 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.36 Å | (30) |
| 4.31 Å | (20) |
| 4.12 Å | (30) |
| 4.08 Å | (30) |
| 3.85 Å | (80) |
| 3.66 Å | (30) |
| 3.44 Å | (100) |
| 2.41 Å | (30) |
Comments:
ICDD 33-876, synthetic.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 2: Planetesimal differentiation and alteration | 4.566-4.550 |
| 5 : Primary asteroid phases | 4.566–4.560 |
| 6 : Secondary asteroid phases | 4.566-4.560 |
Type Occurrence of Farringtonite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Rims on olivine nodules.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1960,150 and 1960,151.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
A rare component in pallasite meteorites, rimming and cementing olivine nodules.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Farringtonite
German:Farringtonit
Russian:Фаррингтонит
Simplified Chinese:磷镁石
Spanish:Farringtonita
Traditional Chinese:磷鎂石
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 4 photos of Farringtonite associated with Anomalous PMG pallasite meteorite |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.AB. | Rodolicoite | Fe3+PO4 |
| 8.AB. | Johanngeorgenstadtite | Ni2+4.5(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AB. | Borisenkoite | Cu3[(V,As)O4]2 |
| 8.AB. | Niasite | Ni2+4.5(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AB. | Olsenite | KFe4(PO4)3 |
| 8.AB. | Karwowskiite | Ca9Mg(Fe2+0.5◻0.5)(PO4)7 |
| 8.AB.10 | Ferrisicklerite | Li1-x(Fe3+xFe2+1-x)PO4 |
| 8.AB.10 | Heterosite | (Fe3+,Mn3+)PO4 |
| 8.AB.10 | Lithiophilite | LiMn2+PO4 |
| 8.AB.10 | Natrophilite | NaMn2+PO4 |
| 8.AB.10 | Purpurite | Mn3+(PO4) |
| 8.AB.10 | Sicklerite | Li1-x(Mn3+xMn2+1-x)PO4 |
| 8.AB.10 | Simferite | LiMg(PO4) |
| 8.AB.10 | Triphylite | LiFe2+PO4 |
| 8.AB.10 | Karenwebberite | NaFe2+PO4 |
| 8.AB.15 | Sarcopside | (Fe2+,Mn2+,Mg)3(PO4)2 |
| 8.AB.15 | Chopinite | (Mg,Fe2+)3(PO4)2 |
| 8.AB.15 | Zavalíaite | (Mn2+,Fe2+,Mg)3(PO4)2 |
| 8.AB.20 | Beusite | Mn2+Mn2+2 (PO4)2 |
| 8.AB.20 | Graftonite | Fe2+Fe2+2(PO4)2 |
| 8.AB.20 | Graftonite-(Ca) | CaFe2+2(PO4)2 |
| 8.AB.20 | Graftonite-(Mn) | MnFe2+2(PO4)2 |
| 8.AB.20 | Beusite-(Ca) | CaMn2+2(PO4)2 |
| 8.AB.25 | Xanthiosite | Ni3(AsO4)2 |
| 8.AB.30 | Lammerite | Cu3(AsO4)2 |
| 8.AB.30 | Paralammerite | Cu3(AsO4)2 |
| 8.AB.35 | Mcbirneyite | Cu3(VO4)2 |
| 8.AB.35 | Stranskiite | Zn2Cu(AsO4)2 |
| 8.AB.35 | Pseudolyonsite | Cu3(VO4)2 |
| 8.AB.40 | Lyonsite | Cu3Fe4(VO4)6 |
| 8.AB.40 | Michalskiite | Fe3+1.33Cu2+2(MgFe3+)2(VO4)6 |
Other Information
Notes:
Hydrates in the atmosphere and disintegrates to a powder
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 Farringtonite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1456.html
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References for Farringtonite
Reference List:
Localities for Farringtonite
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.
Canada (TL) | |
| DUFRESNE et al. (1961) +2 other references |
| |
Chile | |
| Bild (1974) |
China | |
| Cen Kuang and Yu Chongwen (2001) |
Japan | |
| Shima et al. (1980) +1 other reference |
Russia | |
| Zaslavskaya et al. (1991, March) |
| Fuchs L H et al. (1973) |
USA | |
| Floran (1978) |
The Moon | |
| Dowty et al. (1974) |
Quick NavTopAbout FarringtoniteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPronunciation Physical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence Other LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Springwater meteorite, Springwater, Saskatchewan, Canada