Brassite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Brassite
Formula:
Mg(HAsO4) · 4H2O
Colour:
White
Lustre:
Waxy, Silky, Dull, Earthy
Specific Gravity:
2.28 - 2.33
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named by François Fontan, Marcel Orliac, François Permingeat, Roland Pierrot, and Réjane Stahl in 1973 for Réjane Brasse, apparently the maiden name of Réjane Stahl, French chemist of Universite de Paris Sud, who first synthesized the compound.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
756
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:756:8
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
dc822838-027b-4eab-84ae-e31bc59a561f
IMA Classification of Brassite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Mg(AsO3OH) · 4H2O
First published:
1973
Classification of Brassite
8.CE.15
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
E : With only medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O about 1:2.5
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
E : With only medium-sized cations, RO4:H2O about 1:2.5
39.1.7.1
39 : HYDRATED ACID PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
1 : A[HXO4]·xH2O
39 : HYDRATED ACID PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
1 : A[HXO4]·xH2O
20.2.2
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
2 : Arsenates of Be, Mg, Ca or Ba
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
2 : Arsenates of Be, Mg, Ca or Ba
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 |
---|---|---|
Bsi | 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 Brassite
Waxy, Silky, Dull, Earthy
Transparency:
Translucent
Comment:
May have a fine satin-like appearance.
Colour:
White
Streak:
White
Comment:
Soft fine-grained mineral. True hardness unknown.
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
{001} perfect.
{001} perfect.
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Splintery
Density:
2.28 - 2.33 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.326 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
AC B 32:1460 (1976) structure.
Optical Data of Brassite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.531 nβ = 1.546 nγ = 1.562
Birefringence:
0.031
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.031
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 moderate
Optical Extinction:
XYZ=bac; 2V=very large
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Brassite
Mindat Formula:
Mg(HAsO4) · 4H2O
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Brassite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pbca
Setting:
Pbca
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.472 Å, b = 10.891 Å, c = 16.585 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.686 : 1 : 1.523
Unit Cell V:
1,349.65 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
8
Crystal Structure
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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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0009557 | Brassite | Protas J, Gindt R (1976) Structure cristalline de la brassite, MgHAsO4*4H2O, produit de deshydratation de la roesslerite Acta Crystallographica B32 1460-1466 | 1976 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
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Radiation - Copper Kα
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
5.55 Å | (80) |
5.45 Å | (80) |
4.95 Å | (100) |
4.52 Å | (80) |
3.98 Å | (80) |
3.73 Å | (80) |
3.30 Å | (80) |
3.08 Å | (100) |
Comments:
ICDD 23-1228 (synthetic), also 29-860 (calculated pattern).
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] | |
Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
55 : Anthropogenic mine minerals | |
56 : Slag and smelter minerals (see also #51 and #55) |
Type Occurrence of Brassite
General Appearance of Type Material:
crusts of fine grained material
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Ecole nationale supericure des mines de Paris
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Post-mine alteration of arsenic ore.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Fontan, F., Orliac, M., Permingeat, F., Pierrot, R., & Stahl, R. (1973). La brassite, MgHAsO4• 4H2O, une nouvelle espèce minérale. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 96(6), 365-370.
Synonyms of Brassite
Other Language Names for Brassite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
16 photos of Brassite associated with Rösslerite | Mg(HAsO4) · 7H2O |
5 photos of Brassite associated with Pharmacolite | Ca(HAsO4) · 2H2O |
5 photos of Brassite associated with Picropharmacolite | Ca4Mg(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 11H2O |
1 photo of Brassite associated with Arsenic | As |
1 photo of Brassite associated with Haidingerite | CaHAsO4 · H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
8.CE.X | Babánekite | Cu3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
8.CE. | Monteneroite | Cu2+Mn2+2(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
8.CE.05 | Chudobaite | (Mg,Zn)5(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 10H2O |
8.CE.05 | Geigerite | Mn2+5(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 10H2O |
8.CE.10 | Newberyite | Mg(PO3OH) · 3H2O |
8.CE.20 | Phosphorrösslerite | Mg(PO3OH) · 7H2O |
8.CE.20 | Rösslerite | Mg(HAsO4) · 7H2O |
8.CE.25 | Metaswitzerite | Mn2+3(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
8.CE.25 | Switzerite | Mn2+3(PO4)2 · 7H2O |
8.CE.30 | Lindackerite | CuCu4(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 9H2O |
8.CE.30 | Ondrušite | CaCu4(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 10H2O |
8.CE.30 | Veselovskýite | ZnCu4(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 9H2O |
8.CE.30 | Pradetite | CoCu4(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 9H2O |
8.CE.30 | Klajite | MnCu4(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 9-10H2O |
8.CE.30 | Hloušekite | (Ni,Co)Cu4(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)2 · 9H2O |
8.CE.35 | Bobierrite | Mg3(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
8.CE.40 | Annabergite | Ni3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
8.CE.40 | Arupite | Ni3(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
8.CE.40 | Barićite | (Mg,Fe)3(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
8.CE.40 | Erythrite | Co3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
8.CE.40 | Ferrisymplesite | Fe3+3(AsO4)2(OH)3 · 5H2O |
8.CE.40 | Hörnesite | Mg3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
8.CE.40 | Köttigite | Zn3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
8.CE.40 | Manganohörnesite | Mn2+3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
8.CE.40 | Parasymplesite | Fe2+3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
8.CE.40 | Vivianite | Fe2+Fe2+2(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
8.CE.40 | Pakhomovskyite | Co3(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
8.CE.45 | Symplesite | Fe2+3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
8.CE.50 | Cattiite | Mg3(PO4)2 · 22H2O |
8.CE.55 | Koninckite | Fe3+PO4 · 3H2O |
8.CE.60 | Kaňkite | FeAsO4 · 3.5H2O |
8.CE.60 | Hilarionite | Fe3+2(SO4)(AsO4)(OH) · 6H2O |
8.CE.65 | Steigerite | Al(VO4) · 3H2O |
8.CE.70 | Metaschoderite | Al2(PO4)(VO4) · 6H2O |
8.CE.70 | Schoderite | Al2(PO4)(VO4) · 8H2O |
8.CE.75 | Malhmoodite | FeZr(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
8.CE.75 | Zigrasite | MgZr(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
8.CE.75 | UM2009-11-PO:CaHZr | CaZr[PO4]2 · 4H2O |
8.CE.80 | Santabarbaraite | Fe3+3(PO4)2(OH)3 · 5H2O |
8.CE.85 | Metaköttigite | (Zn,Fe,Fe)3(AsO4)2 · 8(H2O,OH) |
8.CE.90 | Slavkovite | Cu13(AsO4)6(AsO3OH)4 · 23H2O |
Fluorescence of Brassite
Not fluorescent.
Other Information
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 Brassite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-756.html
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References for Brassite
Reference List:
Fontan, François, Orliac, Marcel, Permingeat, François, Pierrot, Roland, Stahl, Réjane (1973) La brassite, MgHAsO4 • 4H2O, une nouvelle espèce minérale. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 96 (6) 365-370 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1973.6850
Localities for Brassite
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.
Canada | |
| Percival et al. (2007, October) |
| Percival |
Czech Republic (TL) | |
| Bull.Soc.fr.Min.Crist. (1974) |
Dr. Jan Hlousek label +1 other reference | |
France | |
| Forner et al. (1997) |
| Favreaux (1997) |
Germany | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
| Weiß (1990) |
Weiß (1990) | |
| Möhn et al. (07/2020) |
Greece | |
| Rieck et al. (2020) |
| Rieck et al. (2020) |
Poland | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
| Cu +2 other references |
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Jáchymov, Karlovy Vary District, Karlovy Vary Region, Czech Republic