Natrophilite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Natrophilite
Formula:
NaMn2+PO4
Colour:
Deep yellow to light yellow
Lustre:
Sub-Vitreous, Greasy
Hardness:
4½ - 5
Specific Gravity:
3.41
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
Named by George Brush and Edward Dana in 1890 from NATRium (Latin for sodium) and the Greek φίλος = "a friend" in allusion to its composition containing significant sodium.
Type Locality:
Isostructural with:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2861
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2861:1
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
1f216227-840d-473c-9a71-1b1764da6766
IMA Classification of Natrophilite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
NaMn2+(PO4)
First published:
1890
Classification of Natrophilite
8.AB.10
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.:
38.1.1.3
38.1.1.3
38 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, AND VANADATES
1 : ABXO4
38 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, AND VANADATES
1 : ABXO4
19.12.3
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ntp | 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 Natrophilite
Sub-Vitreous, Greasy
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Comment:
Bright; somewhat pearly on the {001} cleavage.
Colour:
Deep yellow to light yellow
Streak:
White
Hardness:
4½ - 5 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
On {001}, good; on {010}, indistinct; on {021} poor.
On {001}, good; on {010}, indistinct; on {021} poor.
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
3.41 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.47 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Natrophilite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.671 nβ = 1.674 nγ = 1.684
2V:
Measured: 70° to 80°, Calculated: 58°
Birefringence:
0.013
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.013
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:
High
Dispersion:
r < v, relatively strong
Optical Extinction:
XYZ = abc
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Natrophilite
Mindat Formula:
NaMn2+PO4
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Natrophilite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pmna
Setting:
Pmna
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.31 Å, b = 10.517 Å, c = 4.98 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.6 : 1 : 0.474
Unit Cell V:
330.48 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Crystals unknown; usually as small (1 mm) grains of as thin fracture (1 mm wide) fillings.
Comment:
Incomplete structure analysis, Am Min (1972) 57:1333
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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CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0000292 | Natrophilite | Moore P B (1972) Natrophilite, NaMn(PO4), has ordered cations American Mineralogist 57 1333-1344 |  | 1972 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.50 Å | (60) |
| 4.05 Å | (60) |
| 3.66 Å | (50) |
| 3.15 Å | (50) |
| 2.86 Å | (80) |
| 2.60 Å | (100) |
| 2.58 Å | (100) |
| 1.831 Å | (70) |
Comments:
ICDD 25-846, Pmnb
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites |
Type Occurrence of Natrophilite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Embedded grains.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Harvard Mineralogical Museum, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, 92263 (type).
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Granite pegmatite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Natrophilite
Relationship of Natrophilite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
| Heterosite | (Fe3+,Mn3+)PO4 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pmna |
| Karenwebberite | NaFe2+PO4 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma |
| Lithiophilite | LiMn2+PO4 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pmna |
| Purpurite | Mn3+(PO4) | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pmna |
| Simferite | LiMg(PO4) | Orth. |
| Triphylite | LiFe2+PO4 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pmna |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 11 photos of Natrophilite associated with Lithiophilite | LiMn2+PO4 |
| 8 photos of Natrophilite associated with Cleavelandite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
| 5 photos of Natrophilite associated with Triploidite | Mn2+2(PO4)(OH) |
| 5 photos of Natrophilite associated with Purpurite | Mn3+(PO4) |
| 1 photo of Natrophilite associated with Eosphorite | Mn2+Al(PO4)(OH)2 · H2O |
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.05 | Farringtonite | Mg3(PO4)2 |
| 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 | 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+3(PO4)2 |
| 8.AB.15 | Chopinite | Mg3(PO4)2 |
| 8.AB.15 | Zavalíaite | Mn2+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 |
Fluorescence of Natrophilite
Not fluorescent.
Other Information
Notes:
Soluble in acids.
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 Natrophilite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2861.html
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References for Natrophilite
Reference List:
Larsen, Esper S. (1921) The microscopic determination of the nonopaque minerals. Bulletin Vol. 679. US Geological Survey doi:10.3133/b679 p.115
Localities for Natrophilite
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.
Finland | |
| Ilkka Mikkola collction |
Germany | |
| Thomas et al. (2000) |
Poland | |
| Twardak et al. (2018) |
| Pieczka et al. (2013) +3 other references |
USA (TL) | |
| Am Min 50:1096-1097 +4 other references |
| Moritz (n.d.) |
| Al Falster |
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Fillow Quarry, Branchville, Redding, Fairfield County, Connecticut, USA