Prosperite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Prosperite
Formula:
Ca2Zn4(AsO4)4 · H2O
Previously given as CaZn2(AsO4)(HAsO4)(OH).
Colour:
Colourless, white
Lustre:
Vitreous, Silky
Hardness:
4½
Specific Gravity:
4.31
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
In honour of Prosper John Williams (1910–2001), of Toronto and Vancouver, Canada, South African-Canadian mineral dealer, supplier of many Tsumeb specimens.
This page provides mineralogical data about Prosperite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3288
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3288:5
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
82858702-1192-48fd-b27e-4c663576fd01
IMA Classification of Prosperite
Approved
First published:
1979
Classification of Prosperite
8.CA.60
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
40.2.4.1
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
2 : AB2(XO4)2·xH2O
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
2 : AB2(XO4)2·xH2O
20.3.10
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
3 : Arsenates of Zn, Cd or Hg
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
3 : Arsenates of Zn, Cd or Hg
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ppe | 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 Prosperite
Vitreous, Silky
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Colourless, white
Comment:
Dense aggregates of crystals show a very faint blue tint.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
4½ on Mohs scale
Density:
4.31(1) g/cm3 (Measured) 4.40 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Prosperite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.746(2) nβ = 1.748(2) nγ = 1.768(2)
2V:
Measured: 34° (2), Calculated: 36°
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:
High
Dispersion:
r >> v.
Optical Extinction:
Y = b; Z ∧ c = 27°.
Chemistry of Prosperite
Mindat Formula:
Ca2Zn4(AsO4)4 · H2O
Previously given as CaZn2(AsO4)(HAsO4)(OH).
Previously given as CaZn2(AsO4)(HAsO4)(OH).
Crystallography of Prosperite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Cell Parameters:
a = 19.238(2) Å, b = 7.731(1) Å, c = 9.765(1) Å
β = 104.47(1)°
β = 104.47(1)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 2.488 : 1 : 1.263
Unit Cell V:
1,406.27 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
8
Morphology:
Slender prismatic crystals in radiating groups and as subparallel aggregates in sheaf-like arrangements. Larger acicular prisms may be composed of several smaller crystals in parallel orientation. Elongate parallel to [001]. In order of decreasing importance, the forms are: a{100}, d{10t}, m{110}, p{111}, z{421}, n{540), k{210}, l{310}, o{301} and x{112}.
Twinning:
No evidence of twinning was found by single-crystal X-ray study or with the petrographic microscope and the universal stage (type material).
Comment:
Point Group: 2/m or m. ; Space Group: C2/c or Cc.
Crystal Structure
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Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0010846 | Prosperite | Keller P, Riffel H, Hess H (1982) Die kristallstruktur von prosperit, Ca2Zn4[H2O|(AsO4)4] Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 158 33-42 |  | 1982 | Tsumeb, Nambia | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 2.723 Å | (100) |
| 2.992 Å | (90) |
| 3.11 Å | (80) |
| 3.78 Å | (70) |
| 3.36 Å | (60) |
| 2.614 Å | (60) |
| 3.86 Å | (50) |
Comments:
Tsumeb Mine, Namibia. Data from the type description.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] |
Type Occurrence of Prosperite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Slender prismatic crystals in radiating groups. Crystals up to 10 mm long and 1 mm in diameter. Also as subparallel aggregates in sheaf-like arrangements.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M35388, M35389, M35391.
The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1978,19.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 143732, 143733.
The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1978,19.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 143732, 143733.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
A secondary mineral formed in bugs in partially altered massive sulfide ore.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
GAIT, R.I., STURMAN, B.D. & DUNN, P.J. (1979): Prosperite, HcaZn2(AsO4)2(OH), a new mineral from Tsumeb, South West Africa (Namibia). Canadian Mineralogist 17, 87-92.
Synonyms of Prosperite
Other Language Names for Prosperite
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.05 | Parafransoletite | 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.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 Prosperite
Not fluorescent.
Other Information
IR Spectrum:
The infrared spectra indicates the presence of (OH).
Thermal Behaviour:
A prominent endothermic peak at 655°C is related to a 4.0 wt. % loss occurring between 469° and 682°C with the main loss between 641° and 665°C.
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 Prosperite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3288.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Prosperite
Localities for Prosperite
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.
Namibia (TL) | |
| American Mineralogist (1980) +2 other references |
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Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia