Parafransoletite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Parafransoletite
Formula:
Ca3Be2(PO4)2(PO3OH)2 · 4H2O
Colour:
Colorless, white
Lustre:
Vitreous, Silky
Hardness:
2½
Specific Gravity:
2.54
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
Named for its dimorphous relationship with fransoletite.
This page provides mineralogical data about Parafransoletite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3089
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3089:8
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
1896d1f2-8522-46e5-b520-9ed9acd45a14
IMA Classification of Parafransoletite
Classification of Parafransoletite
8.CA.05
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
A : With small and large/medium cations
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
A : With small and large/medium cations
Dana 7th ed.:
40.5.2.1
40.5.2.1
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
5 : AXO4·xH2O
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
5 : AXO4·xH2O
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 |
---|---|---|
Pfsl | 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 Parafransoletite
Vitreous, Silky
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Colorless, white
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Comment:
'Even' fracture.
Density:
2.54(1) g/cm3 (Measured) 2.27 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Parafransoletite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.562 nβ = 1.564 nγ = 1.588
2V:
Measured: 33° , Calculated: 34°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.026
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:
strong
Optical Extinction:
θ = 85°; ψ = –13°; φ = 98°.
Chemistry of Parafransoletite
Mindat Formula:
Ca3Be2(PO4)2(PO3OH)2 · 4H2O
Crystallography of Parafransoletite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.32 Å, b = 7.69 Å, c = 7.06 Å
α = 94.9°, β = 96.82°, γ = 101.86°
α = 94.9°, β = 96.82°, γ = 101.86°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.952 : 1 : 0.918
Unit Cell V:
385.48 ų
Z:
1
Morphology:
Thin individual spear-shaped blades, sheaf- and bowtie-like aggregates, and compact radial sprays. Similar to collinsite in appearance and notably distinct from fransoletite. Most crystals are composite with slightly rounded faces tapering to a pointed termination. Individual crystals are flattened on {010} and elongate parallel to [100]. Forms include {010}, {011}, {131}, {131}, and {144}. Doubly terminated crystals are common and seemingly exhibit centrosymmetric development of crystal forms.
Twinning:
Simple contact twinning on {010} is common.
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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0001532 | Parafransoletite | Kampf A R (1992) Beryllophosphate chains in the structures of fransoletite, parafransoletite, and ehrleite and some general comments on beryllophosphate linkages American Mineralogist 77 848-856 | 1992 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
3.032 Å | (100) |
3.619 Å | (80) |
2.595 Å | (60) |
7.52 Å | (50) |
2.334 Å | (40) |
2.485 Å | (25) |
1.870 Å | (25) |
Comments:
Tip Top mine, South Dakota, USA. The data are from the type description.
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 Parafransoletite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Thin individual spear-shaped blades up to 0.4 x 0.1 x 0.04 mm, as sheaf- and bowtie-like aggregates, and as compact radial sprays to 2 mm in diameter. It is similar to collinsite in appearance and notably distinct from fransoletite.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Natural History Museum, Los Angeles, California, USA, number 35696.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, number 168432.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, number 168432.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Granite pegmatite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Parafransoletite
Other Language Names for Parafransoletite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
1 photo of Parafransoletite associated with Montgomeryite | Ca4MgAl4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 12H2O |
1 photo of Parafransoletite associated with Robertsite | Ca2Mn3+3(PO4)3O2 · 3H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
8.CA. | Davidlloydite | Zn3(AsO4)2 · 4H2O |
8.CA. | Apexite | NaMg(PO4) · 9H2O |
8.CA. | Brandãoite | BeAl2(PO4)2(OH)2(H2O)5 |
8.CA.05 | Fransoletite | Ca3Be2(PO4)2(PO3OH)2 · 4H2O |
8.CA.10 | Ehrleite | Ca4Be3Zn2(PO4)6 · 9H2O |
8.CA.15 | Faheyite | Be2Mn2+Fe3+2(PO4)4 · 6H2O |
8.CA.20 | Gainesite | Na(Na,K)(Be,Li)Zr2(PO4)4 · 1.5-2H2O |
8.CA.20 | Mccrillisite | NaCs(Be,Li)Zr2(PO4)4 · 1-2H2O |
8.CA.20 | Selwynite | NaK(Be,Al)Zr2(PO4)4 · 2H2O |
8.CA.25 | Pahasapaite | Li8(Ca,Li,K)10.5Be24(PO4)24 · 38H2O |
8.CA.30 | Hopeite | ZnZn2(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
8.CA.30 | Arsenohopeite | Zn3(AsO4)2 · 4H2O |
8.CA.30 | Nizamoffite | Mn2+Zn2(PO4)2(H2O)4 |
8.CA.30 | Unnamed (Mg-analogue of Hopeite) | Mg3(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
8.CA.35 | Warikahnite | Zn3(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
8.CA.40 | Phosphophyllite | Zn2Fe(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
8.CA.42 | Steinmetzite | Zn2Fe3+(PO4)2(OH) · 3H2O |
8.CA.45 | Parascholzite | CaZn2(PO4)2 · 2H2O |
8.CA.45 | Scholzite | CaZn2(PO4)2 · 2H2O |
8.CA.50 | Keyite | Cu2+3Zn4Cd2(AsO4)6 · 2H2O |
8.CA.55 | Pushcharovskite | K0.6Cu18[AsO2(OH)2]4[AsO3OH]10(AsO4)(OH)9.6 · 18.6H2O |
8.CA.60 | Prosperite | Ca2Zn4(AsO4)4 · H2O |
8.CA.65 | Gengenbachite | KFe3+3(PO3OH)4[PO2(OH)2]2 · 6H2O |
8.CA.70 | Parahopeite | Zn3(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
8.CA.70 | Reaphookhillite | MgZn2(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
8.CA.75 | Stergiouite | CaZn2(AsO4)2 · 4H2O |
8.CA.80 | Limousinite | BaCa[Be4P4O16] · 6H2O |
8.CA.85 | Minjiangite | BaBe2(PO4)2 |
8.CA.85 | Wilancookite | (Ba5Li2◻)Ba6Be24P24O96 · 26H2O |
Fluorescence of Parafransoletite
Not fluorescent.
Other Information
Notes:
Dissolves readily in cold 1:1 HCl.
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 Parafransoletite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3089.html
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References for Parafransoletite
Localities for Parafransoletite
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.
USA (TL) | |
| Kampf et al. (1992) |
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Tip Top Mine, Fourmile, Custer Mining District, Custer County, South Dakota, USA