Lithiophilite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Lithiophilite
Formula:
LiMn2+PO4
Colour:
Reddish-brown, yellowish brown, golden-yellow, salmon-orange, pale grey-green (when Fe-rich); colourless to light yellow, pink in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Greasy
Hardness:
4
Specific Gravity:
3.29 - 3.50
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
Named by George Brush and Edward Dana in 1878 for LITHIum and the Greek φιλός for "friend" in allusion to its composition containing lithium.
Type Locality:
Isostructural with:
The Li analogue of natrophilite. The Fe2+ analogue of lithiophilite and simferite.
Triphylite Group. Triphylite-Lithiophilite Series.
A complete series exists with Triphylite.
Triphylite Group. Triphylite-Lithiophilite Series.
A complete series exists with Triphylite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2418
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2418:7
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
b9104953-942e-4c82-93d7-4219d3b7adfb
IMA Classification of Lithiophilite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
LiMn2+(PO4)
First published:
1878
Classification of Lithiophilite
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.:
38.1.1.2
38.1.1.2
38 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, AND VANADATES
1 : ABXO4
38 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, AND VANADATES
1 : ABXO4
19.1.10
19 : Phosphates
1 : Phosphates of the alkali metals
19 : Phosphates
1 : Phosphates of the alkali metals
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lhp | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Lph | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Lithiophilite
Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Greasy
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Reddish-brown, yellowish brown, golden-yellow, salmon-orange, pale grey-green (when Fe-rich); colourless to light yellow, pink in transmitted light.
Comment:
Low-Fe material is pale pinkish brown to orange.
Streak:
Colorless to Grayish White
Hardness:
4 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Very Good
On {001} nearly perfect; on {010} imperfect; on {011} interrupted.
On {001} nearly perfect; on {010} imperfect; on {011} interrupted.
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Sub-Conchoidal
Density:
3.29 - 3.50 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.433 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Value for the Mn end-member.
Optical Data of Lithiophilite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.663 - 1.685 nβ = 1.663 - 1.685 nγ = 1.673 - 1.691
2V:
Measured: 30° to 70°, Calculated: 68°
Birefringence:
0.008
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.010
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:
strong r < v
Optical Extinction:
Parallel, XYZ = abc
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
X= deep pink
Y= pale greenish yellow
Z= pale pink
Y= pale greenish yellow
Z= pale pink
Comments:
May be black due to oxidation and staining; Mg reduces RI (Am Min 28:90 (1943))
Chemistry of Lithiophilite
Mindat Formula:
LiMn2+PO4
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Mg,Ca,Fe
Chemical Analysis
Oxide wt%:
| 1 | 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| P2O5 | 44,33 % | 45.92 % |
| FeO | 14,94 % | % |
| MnO | 30,74 % | 43.16 % |
| MgO | 0,06 % | % |
| CaO | 0,10 % | 0.58 % |
| Na2O | 0,04 % | % |
| Li2O | 9,00 % | % |
| H2O+ | 0,14 % | % |
| Insol | 0,63 % | % |
| Li2O, calc | % | 10.33 % |
| SiO2 | % | 0.03 % |
| Total: | 97 % | 100.02 % |
Empirical formulas:
| Sample ID | Empirical Formula |
|---|---|
| 2 | Li1.07(Ca0.01Mn0.94)0.95P1.00O4 |
Sample references:
| ID | Locality | Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Buranga pegmatite, Muhororo, Ngororero District, Western Province, Rwanda | ||
| 2 | Manjaka, Sahatany Valley, Ibity, Antsirabe II District, Vakinankaratra, Madagascar | Li2O calculated |
Crystallography of Lithiophilite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pmna
Setting:
Pmna
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.094(5) Å, b = 10.427(5) Å, c = 4.743(1) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.584 : 1 : 0.455
Unit Cell V:
301.38 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Crystals rare; commonly coarse with uneven surfaces; stout prismatic [001]. Usually massive, rarely granular.
Twinning:
Rare contact twins on {130}
Comment:
Pmnb AC (1960) 13: 325; Isotypic with olivine
Crystal Structure
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0005976 | Lithiophilite | Losey A, Rakovan J F, Hughes J M, Francis C A, Dyar M D (2004) Structural variation in the lithiophilite-triphylite series and other olivine-group structures The Canadian Mineralogist 42 1105-1115 |  | 2004 | Bennett Quarry, Buckfield, Maine | 0 | 293 |
| 0005977 | Lithiophilite | Losey A, Rakovan J F, Hughes J M, Francis C A, Dyar M D (2004) Structural variation in the lithiophilite-triphylite series and other olivine-group structures The Canadian Mineralogist 42 1105-1115 | | 2004 | Fillow Quarry, Branchville, Connecticut | 0 | 293 |
| 0019729 | Lithiophilite | Hatert F, Ottolini L, Wouters J, Fontan F (2012) A structural study of the lithiophilite-sicklerite series Sample 1, colorless The Canadian Mineralogist 50 843-854 | 2012 | Koktokay No. 3 granitic pegmatite, Altai Mountains, northwestern China | 0 | 293 | |
| 0019730 | Lithiophilite | Hatert F, Ottolini L, Wouters J, Fontan F (2012) A structural study of the lithiophilite-sicklerite series Sample 2, light yellow The Canadian Mineralogist 50 843-854 | 2012 | Koktokay No. 3 granitic pegmatite, Altai Mountains, northwestern China | 0 | 293 | |
| 0009238 | Lithiophilite | Geller S, Durand J L (1960) Refinement of the structure of LiMnPO4 Acta Crystallographica 13 325-331 |  | 1960 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
| 0017985 | Lithiophilite | Bjoerling C, Westgren A (1938) Minerals of the Varutrask pegmatite. IX. X-ray studies on triphylite, varulite, and their oxidation products _cod_database_code 1011089 Geologiska Foreningens i Stockholm Forhandlingar 60 67-72 | 1938 | 0 | 293 | ||
| 0019731 | Sicklerite | Hatert F, Ottolini L, Wouters J, Fontan F (2012) A structural study of the lithiophilite-sicklerite series Sample 3, yellow The Canadian Mineralogist 50 843-854 | 2012 | Koktokay No. 3 granitic pegmatite, Altai Mountains, northwestern China | 0 | 293 | |
| 0019732 | Sicklerite | Hatert F, Ottolini L, Wouters J, Fontan F (2012) A structural study of the lithiophilite-sicklerite series Sample 4, orange The Canadian Mineralogist 50 843-854 | 2012 | Koktokay No. 3 granitic pegmatite, Altai Mountains, northwestern China | 0 | 293 | |
| 0019733 | Sicklerite | Hatert F, Ottolini L, Wouters J, Fontan F (2012) A structural study of the lithiophilite-sicklerite series Sample 5, deep orange The Canadian Mineralogist 50 843-854 | 2012 | Koktokay No. 3 granitic pegmatite, Altai Mountains, northwestern China | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 5.23 Å | (60) |
| 4.31 Å | (60) |
| 3.96 Å | (30) |
| 3.52 Å | (70) |
| 3.05 Å | (90) |
| 2.55 Å | (100) |
| 2.49 Å | (30) |
| 1.762 Å | (30) |
Comments:
ICDD 33-803; also 33-804, 13-336, 33-802 (oxidized and Li leached).
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites |
Geological Setting:
Granite pegmatites, especially the "complex" type containing lithium and phosphate species.
Type Occurrence of Lithiophilite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Irregular rounded masses to 7.5 cm in diameter.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA, numbers 3.5641 3.5645.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Granite pegmatite.
Synonyms of Lithiophilite
Other Language Names for Lithiophilite
Varieties of Lithiophilite
| Sicklerite | DISCREDITED (intermediate phases in the lithiophilite–purpurite series). Occurs only as an alteration product of Triphylite and Lithiophilite, commonly as rims around partly altered masses or crystals of the latter species. Ferrisicklerite and Sickler... |
Relationship of Lithiophilite 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 |
| Natrophilite | NaMn2+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 |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 26 photos of Lithiophilite associated with Cleavelandite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
| 16 photos of Lithiophilite associated with Vivianite | Fe2+Fe2+2(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 16 photos of Lithiophilite associated with Hureaulite | Mn2+5(PO3OH)2(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 14 photos of Lithiophilite associated with Sicklerite | Li1-x(Mn3+xMn2+1-x)PO4 |
| 12 photos of Lithiophilite associated with Purpurite | Mn3+(PO4) |
| 11 photos of Lithiophilite associated with Natrophilite | NaMn2+PO4 |
| 7 photos of Lithiophilite associated with Muscovite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| 7 photos of Lithiophilite associated with Elbaite | Na(Li1.5Al1.5)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) |
| 7 photos of Lithiophilite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 6 photos of Lithiophilite associated with Triploidite | Mn2+2(PO4)(OH) |
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 | 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+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 Lithiophilite
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 Lithiophilite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2418.html
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References for Lithiophilite
Reference List:
Hurlbut, C. S., Aristarain, and L. F. (1968) Beusite, a new mineral from Argentina, and the graftonite-beusite series. American Mineralogist, 53 (11-12) 1799-1814 p.1804
Shigley, James E., Brown, Gordon E. (1985) Occurrence and alteration of phosphate minerals at the Stewart Pegmatite, Pala District, San Diego County, California. American Mineralogist, 70 (3-4) 395-408
Dyar, M. D., Jawin, E. R., Breves, E., Marchand, G., Nelms, M., Lane, M. D., Mertzman, S. A., Bish, D. L., Bishop, J. L. (2014) Mössbauer parameters of iron in phosphate minerals: Implications for interpretation of martian data. American Mineralogist, 99 (5) 914-942 doi:10.2138/am.2014.4701
Localities for Lithiophilite
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.
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Foote Lithium Co. Mine, Kings Mountain, Cleveland County, North Carolina, USA