Eosphorite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Eosphorite
Formula:
Mn2+Al(PO4)(OH)2 · H2O
Colour:
Usually pale brown, golden brown, also medium brown to dark brown; occasionally pink, rose-red
Lustre:
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous, Resinous
Hardness:
5
Specific Gravity:
3.06 - 3.08
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named in 1878 by George J. Brush and Edward S. Dana from the Greek έωσφορος for "dawn-bearing," in allusion to the pink colour of the original material.
Isostructural with:
Childrenite-Eosphorite Series. The Mn2+ analogue of Childrenite.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Eosphorite.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Eosphorite.Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1386
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1386:0
Similar Names
| Bosphorite | A synonym of Santabarbaraite | Fe33+(PO4)2(OH)3 · 5H2O |
IMA Classification of Eosphorite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1878
Classification of Eosphorite
8.DD.20
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
D : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4= 2:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
D : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4= 2:1
42.7.1.2
42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
7 : (AB)2(XO4)Zq·xH2O
42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
7 : (AB)2(XO4)Zq·xH2O
19.12.55
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.
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 for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Eos | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Eos | 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 Eosphorite
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous, Resinous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Usually pale brown, golden brown, also medium brown to dark brown; occasionally pink, rose-red
Comment:
Brown to black when oxidized
Streak:
White
Hardness:
5 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Poor/Indistinct
Poor on {100}
Poor on {100}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Sub-Conchoidal
Density:
3.06 - 3.08 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.04 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Eosphorite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.628 - 1.644 nβ = 1.648 - 1.673 nγ = 1.657 - 1.679
2V:
Measured: 45° to 50°, Calculated: 54° to 66°
Birefringence:
0.032
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.029 - 0.035
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
r < v strong
Optical Extinction:
Y^c = 4°-8°. XYZ = bac
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X= yellow
Y= pink
Z= pale pink to colorless
Y= pink
Z= pale pink to colorless
Chemistry of Eosphorite
Mindat Formula:
Mn2+Al(PO4)(OH)2 · H2O
Element Weights:
Common Impurities:
Fe
Chemical Analysis
Oxide wt%:
| 1 | |
|---|---|
| P2O5 | 30,69 % |
| Al2O3 | 21,50 % |
| FeO | 10,63 % |
| MnO | 20,30 % |
| MgO | 0,07 % |
| CaO | 0,07 % |
| Total: | 81 % |
Sample references:
| ID | Locality | Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Buranga pegmatite, Muhororo, Ngororero District, Western Province, Rwanda |
Crystallography of Eosphorite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Cmca
Setting:
Cmca
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.928(1) Å, b = 10.445(1) Å, c = 13.501(2) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.663 : 1 : 1.293
Unit Cell V:
976.97 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
8
Morphology:
Crystals, commonly short to long prismatic, in planar radial or spherical radiating groups, with wedge-shaped terminations; globular, rarely massive.
Twinning:
May exhibit twinning on {100} and {001}, observable optically.
Comment:
Originally thought to be monoclinic, twinned pseudo-orthorhombic.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0014501 | Eosphorite | Hoyos M A, Calderon T, Vergara I, Garcia-Sole J (1993) New structural and spectroscopic data for eosphorite Mineralogical Magazine 57 329-336 |  | 1993 | Taquaral, Brazil | 0 | 293 |
| 0019910 | Eosphorite | Diego Gatta G, Nenert G, Vignola P (2013) Coexisting hydroxyl groups and H2O molecules in minerals: A single-crystal neutron diffraction study of eosphorite, MnAlPO4(OH)2*H2O American Mineralogist 98 1297-1301 | 2013 | Chamachhu, Skarda district, Baltistan, Pakistan | 0 | 20 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Loading XRD data...
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 5.23 Å | (50) |
| 4.39 Å | (50) |
| 3.55 Å | (50) |
| 3.41 Å | (50) |
| 2.826 Å | (100) |
| 2.422 Å | (60) |
| 1.535 Å | (50) |
Comments:
ICDD 17-131
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] |
Geological Setting:
Secondary mineral in phosphate bearing granitic pegmatites.
Type Occurrence of Eosphorite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA: 3.3231, 3.5847.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Granite Pegmatite
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Eosphorite
Relationship of Eosphorite to other Species
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 167 photos of Eosphorite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 140 photos of Eosphorite associated with 'Rose Quartz' | SiO2 |
| 121 photos of Eosphorite associated with Zanazziite | Ca2Mg5Be4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 6H2O |
| 86 photos of Eosphorite associated with Albite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
| 53 photos of Eosphorite associated with Greifensteinite | Ca2Fe2+5Be4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 6H2O |
| 43 photos of Eosphorite associated with Wardite | NaAl3(PO4)2(OH)4 · 2H2O |
| 31 photos of Eosphorite associated with Muscovite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| 30 photos of Eosphorite associated with Topaz | Al2(SiO4)(F,OH)2 |
| 28 photos of Eosphorite associated with 'Indicolite' | A(D3)G6(T6O18)(BO3)3X3Z |
| 27 photos of Eosphorite associated with Microcline | K(AlSi3O8) |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.DD. | Penberthycroftite | [Al6(AsO4)3(OH)9(H2O)5] · 8H2O |
| 8.DD. | Bettertonite | [Al6(AsO4)3(OH)9(H2O)5] · 11H2O |
| 8.DD. | Vargite | MnCu2Mn2(AsO4)2(OH)4(H2O)4 |
| 8.DD. | Galeaclolusite | Al6(AsO4)3(OH)9(H2O)4 · 8H2O |
| 8.DD.05 | Luetheite | Cu2Al2(AsO4)2(OH)4 |
| 8.DD.05 | Chenevixite | Cu2Fe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)4 |
| 8.DD.10 | Akrochordite | MnMn2Mn2(AsO4)2(OH)4(H2O)4 |
| 8.DD.10 | Guanacoite | MgCu2Mg2(AsO4)2(OH)4(H2O)4 |
| 8.DD.15 | 'UM1981-32-PO:FeH' | Fe2+Fe3+6(PO4)4-x[PO3(OH)]x(OH)8 · 4H2O |
| 8.DD.15 | Afmite | Al3(OH)4(H2O)3(PO4)(PO3OH) · H2O |
| 8.DD.15 | Aheylite | (Fe2+,Zn)Al6(PO4)4(OH)8 · 4H2O |
| 8.DD.15 | 'Coeruleolactite' | |
| 8.DD.15 | Faustite | ZnAl6(PO4)4(OH)8 · 4H2O |
| 8.DD.15 | Planerite | Al6(PO4)2(PO3OH)2(OH)8 · 4H2O |
| 8.DD.15 | Chalcosiderite | CuFe3+6(PO4)4(OH)8 · 4H2O |
| 8.DD.15 | Turquoise | CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8 · 4H2O |
| 8.DD.20 | Ernstite | (Mn2+,Fe3+)Al(PO4)(OH,O)2 · H2O |
| 8.DD.20 | Lefontite | Fe2Al2Be(PO4)2(OH)6 |
| 8.DD.20 | Childrenite | Fe2+Al(PO4)(OH)2 · H2O |
| 8.DD.25 | Kobokoboite | Al6(PO4)4(OH)6 · 11H2O |
| 8.DD.30 | Smamite | Ca2Sb(OH)4[H(AsO4)2] · 6H2O |
| 8.DD.35 | 'Gutsevichite' | Al3(PO4)2(OH)3 · 8H2O |
| 8.DD.40 | 'Laubmannite (of Moore)' | (Fe3+,Fe2+,M)8+x(OH,H2O)9(H2O)2(PO4)5, M = Fe3+, Cu2+ or other metal cation, x ~ 0.1. |
Fluorescence of Eosphorite
Not fluorescent in UV
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 Eosphorite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1386.html
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References for Eosphorite
Reference List:
Larsen, Esper S. (1921) The microscopic determination of the nonopaque minerals. Bulletin 679. US Geological Survey doi:10.3133/b679 p.72
Landes, Kenneth K. (1925) The paragenesis of the granite pegmatites of central Maine. American Mineralogist, 10 (11) 355-411 p.384 - (Vassar analysis)
Barnes, W. H., Shore, Violet C. (1951) The childrenite-eosphorite problem. American Mineralogist, 36 (5-6) 509-510
Hanson, A. W. (1960) The crystal structure of eosphorite. Acta Crystallographica, 13 (5) 384-387 doi:10.1107/s0365110x60000935
Pajunen, Aarne, Lahti, Seppo I. (1984) The crystal structure of viitaniemiite. American Mineralogist, 69 (9-10) 961-966
da Costa, Geraldo Magela, Scholz, Ricardo, Karfunkel, Joachim, Bermanec, Vladimir, de Sá Carneiro Chaves, Mário Luiz (2005) 57Fe-Mössbauer spectroscopy on natural eosphorite-childrenite-ernstite samples. Physics and Chemistry of Minerals, 31 (10). 714-720 doi:10.1007/s00269-004-0434-7
Diego Gatta, G., Nenert, G., Vignola, P. (2013) Coexisting hydroxyl groups and H2O molecules in minerals: A single-crystal neutron diffraction study of eosphorite, MnAlPO4(OH)2·H2O. American Mineralogist, 98 (7) 1297-1301 doi:10.2138/am.2013.4438
Frost, Ray L., Xi, Yunfei, Scholz, Ricardo, López, Andrés, Lima, Rosa Malena Fernandes, Ferreira, Claudiane Moraes (2013) Vibrational spectroscopic characterization of the phosphate mineral series eosphorite–childrenite–(Mn,Fe)Al(PO4)(OH)2·(H2O) Vibrational Spectroscopy, 67. 14-21 doi:10.1016/j.vibspec.2013.03.005
Localities for Eosphorite
Showing 164 localities.
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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Roberto Caldeira claim, Linópolis, Divino das Laranjeiras, Minas Gerais, Brazil