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Berlinite

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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00425670017271921403101.jpg
Berlinite, etc.

HÄlsjöberg, Torsby, VÀrmland County, Sweden
06740970017271921421326.jpg
Berlinite, etc.

Buranga pegmatite, Muhororo, Ngororero District, Western Province, Rwanda
06041260017271921451154.jpg
Berlinite, etc.

HÄlsjöberg, Torsby, VÀrmland County, Sweden
00425670017271921403101.jpg
Berlinite, etc.

HÄlsjöberg, Torsby, VÀrmland County, Sweden
06740970017271921421326.jpg
Berlinite, etc.

Buranga pegmatite, Muhororo, Ngororero District, Western Province, Rwanda
06041260017271921451154.jpg
Berlinite, etc.

HÄlsjöberg, Torsby, VÀrmland County, Sweden
03097570017271921507944.jpg
Berlinite, etc.

HÄlsjöberg, Torsby, VÀrmland County, Sweden
06740970017271921421326.jpg
Berlinite, etc.

Buranga pegmatite, Muhororo, Ngororero District, Western Province, Rwanda
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About BerliniteHide

02065770017271921532950.jpg
Nils Johan Berlin
Formula:
AlPO4
Colour:
Colourless, greyish or pale pink; colourless in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
6½
Specific Gravity:
2.64 - 2.66
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Name:
Honouring Professor Nils Johan Berlin (18 February 1812 – 27 December 1891), pharmacologist in the University of Lund, Sweden.
Isostructural with:
Quartz
The Al-P-analogue of quartz; ordering of Al and P atoms in the crystal structure leads to a doubled c axis.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
633
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:633:8

Similar NamesHide

BerylloniteA valid IMA mineral species - grandfatheredNaBePO4
BorolaniteA rock subtype
MerliniteA synonym of 'Chalcedony'SiO2

IMA Classification of BerliniteHide

IMA status:
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Al(PO4)

Classification of BerliniteHide

Strunz-mindat (2026):
8.AA.05

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
A : Phosphates, etc. without additional anions, without H2O
A : With small cations (some also with larger ones)
Dana 8th ed.:
38.4.2.1

38 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, AND VANADATES
4 : AXO4
Hey's CIM Ref.:
19.7.1

19 : Phosphates
7 : Phosphates of Al alone

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference for Standard
BerIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of BerliniteHide

Lustre:
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Colourless, greyish or pale pink; colourless in transmitted light.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
6½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
2.64 - 2.66 g/cm3 (Measured)    2.618 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
2.56 (artificial material).

Optical Data of BerliniteHide

Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 1.524 nε = 1.532
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.008
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 ”m 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

Chemistry of BerliniteHide

Mindat Formula:
AlPO4
Element Weights:
Element% weight
O52.477 %
P25.398 %
Al22.125 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
Elements listed:
Al, O, P - search for minerals with similar chemistry
Common Impurities:
Fe,Si

Crystallography of BerliniteHide

Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3 2 - Trapezohedral
Space Group:
P31 2 1
Cell Parameters:
a = 4.941 Å, c = 10.94 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 2.214
Unit Cell V:
231.30 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
3
Morphology:
Crystals similar to quartz. Granules to 6 mm; massive.
Twinning:
subparallel twinning lamellae

Crystal StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0004489BerliniteOnac B P, Effenberger H S (2007) Re-examination of berlinite (AlPO4) from the Cioclovina Cave, Romania American Mineralogist 92 1998-20012007Cioclovina Cave, Romania0293
0008136BerliniteChristie D M, Chelikowsky J R (1998) Structural properties of alpha-berlinite (AlPO4) Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 25 222-22619980293
0008135BerliniteChristie D M, Chelikowsky J R (1998) Structural properties of alpha-berlinite (AlPO4) Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 25 222-22619980293
0008134BerliniteChristie D M, Chelikowsky J R (1998) Structural properties of alpha-berlinite (AlPO4) Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 25 222-22619980293
0008133BerliniteChristie D M, Chelikowsky J R (1998) Structural properties of alpha-berlinite (AlPO4) Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 25 222-22619980293
0008132BerliniteChristie D M, Chelikowsky J R (1998) Structural properties of alpha-berlinite (AlPO4) Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 25 222-22619980293
0008131BerliniteChristie D M, Chelikowsky J R (1998) Structural properties of alpha-berlinite (AlPO4) Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 25 222-22619980293
0008130BerliniteChristie D M, Chelikowsky J R (1998) Structural properties of alpha-berlinite (AlPO4) Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 25 222-22619980293
0007999BerliniteMuraoka Y, Kihara K (1997) The temperature dependence of the crystal structure of berlinite, a quartz-type form of AlPO4 Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 24 243-25319970293
0007998BerliniteMuraoka Y, Kihara K (1997) The temperature dependence of the crystal structure of berlinite, a quartz-type form of AlPO4 Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 24 243-25319970293
0007997BerliniteMuraoka Y, Kihara K (1997) The temperature dependence of the crystal structure of berlinite, a quartz-type form of AlPO4 Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 24 243-25319970293
0007996BerliniteMuraoka Y, Kihara K (1997) The temperature dependence of the crystal structure of berlinite, a quartz-type form of AlPO4 Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 24 243-25319970293
0007995BerliniteMuraoka Y, Kihara K (1997) The temperature dependence of the crystal structure of berlinite, a quartz-type form of AlPO4 Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 24 243-25319970293
0007994BerliniteMuraoka Y, Kihara K (1997) The temperature dependence of the crystal structure of berlinite, a quartz-type form of AlPO4 Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 24 243-25319970293
0007993BerliniteMuraoka Y, Kihara K (1997) The temperature dependence of the crystal structure of berlinite, a quartz-type form of AlPO4 Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 24 243-25319970293
0007992BerliniteMuraoka Y, Kihara K (1997) The temperature dependence of the crystal structure of berlinite, a quartz-type form of AlPO4 Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 24 243-25319970293
0007991BerliniteMuraoka Y, Kihara K (1997) The temperature dependence of the crystal structure of berlinite, a quartz-type form of AlPO4 Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 24 243-25319970293
0007990BerliniteMuraoka Y, Kihara K (1997) The temperature dependence of the crystal structure of berlinite, a quartz-type form of AlPO4 Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 24 243-25319970293
0007989BerliniteMuraoka Y, Kihara K (1997) The temperature dependence of the crystal structure of berlinite, a quartz-type form of AlPO4 Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 24 243-25319970293
0007988BerliniteMuraoka Y, Kihara K (1997) The temperature dependence of the crystal structure of berlinite, a quartz-type form of AlPO4 Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 24 243-25319970293
0007987BerliniteMuraoka Y, Kihara K (1997) The temperature dependence of the crystal structure of berlinite, a quartz-type form of AlPO4 Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 24 243-25319970293
0007986BerliniteMuraoka Y, Kihara K (1997) The temperature dependence of the crystal structure of berlinite, a quartz-type form of AlPO4 Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 24 243-25319970293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
3.369 Å(100)
4.28 Å(25)
1.835 Å(16)
2.471 Å(12)
2.306 Å(12)
1.393 Å(12)
1.389 Å(12)
Locality:
VÀstanÄ Iron Mine (WestanÄ Mine), NÀsum, Bromölla, SkÄne County, Sweden

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Near-surface Processes
23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47)
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event<2.4
47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates]

Type Occurrence of BerliniteHide

Type Locality:
ⓘ VĂ€stanĂ„ Iron Mine (WestanĂ„ Mine), NĂ€sum, Bromölla, SkĂ„ne County, Sweden
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Wroclaw University, Wroclaw, Poland; II-9574.

Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA; 101252
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
AttakoliteAugelite

Other Language Names for BerliniteHide

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
7 photos of Berlinite associated with ScorzaliteFe2+Al2(PO4)2(OH)2
5 photos of Berlinite associated with BurangaiteNaFe2+Al5(PO4)4(OH)6 · 2H2O
3 photos of Berlinite associated with LazuliteMgAl2(PO4)2(OH)2
3 photos of Berlinite associated with TrolleiteAl4(PO4)3(OH)3
3 photos of Berlinite associated with RutileTiO2
2 photos of Berlinite associated with RuifrancoiteCa2(◻,Mn)2(Fe3+,Mn,Mg)4Be4(PO4)6(OH)4(OH,H2O)2 · 4H2O
2 photos of Berlinite associated with HydroxylherderiteCaBe(PO4)(OH)
2 photos of Berlinite associated with WagneriteMg2(PO4)F
2 photos of Berlinite associated with BrazilianiteNaAl3(PO4)2(OH)4
2 photos of Berlinite associated with KyaniteAl2(SiO4)O

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

8.AA.05AlarsiteAlAsO4Trig. 3 2 : P31 2 1
8.AA.10BerylloniteNaBePO4Mon. 2/m : P21/b
8.AA.15HurlbutiteCaBe2(PO4)2Mon. 2/m : P21/b
8.AA.20LithiophosphateLi3PO4Orth. mm2 : Pmn21
8.AA.25NalipoiteNaLi2PO4Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
8.AA.30OlympiteNa5Li(PO4)2Orth. 2 2 2 : P21 21 21

Fluorescence of BerliniteHide

In UV light:
may fluoresce dark red

Other InformationHide

Thermal Behaviour:
Exhibits the same thermal inversions as SiO2, but at somewhat lower temperatures.

Readily soluble in alkalies; virtually insoluble in cold acids.
Notes:
Inverts at 583° to a polymorph isotypic with ÎČ-SiO2.
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 BerliniteHide

References for BerliniteHide

Reference List:
Blomstrand, C. W. (1868) Om VestanĂ„ Mineralier. Öfversigt af Kongl. vetenskaps-akademiens förhandlingar, 25. 197-212
Blomstrand (1868) Journal fĂŒr praktische Chemie, Leipzig: 105: 338.
Huttenlocher, H. F. (1935) Kristallstruktur des Aluminiumorthophosphates AlPO4. Zeitschrift fĂŒr Kristallographie, 90 (1-6). 508-516 doi:10.1524/zkri.1935.90.1.508
Strunz, H. (1941) Isotypie von Berlinit mit Quarz. Zeitschrift fĂŒr Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, 103 (1-6). 228-229 doi:10.1524/zkri.1941.103.1.228
Beck, Warren R. (1949) CRYSTALLOGRAPHIC INVERSIONS OF THE ALUMINUM ORTHOPHOSPHATE POLYMORPHS AND THEIR RELATION TO THOSE OF SILICA. Journal of the American Ceramic Society, 32 (4). 147-151 doi:10.1111/j.1151-2916.1949.tb18940.x
Palache, Charles, Berman, Harry, Frondel, Clifford (1951) The System of Mineralogy (7th ed.) Vol. 2 - Halides, Nitrates, Borates, Carbonates, Sulfates, Phosphates, Arsenates, Tungstates, Molybdates, Ect. John Wiley and Sons, New York.pp.696-697
Scott, J. F. (1971) Raman Spectra and Lattice Dynamics of α-Berlinite (AlPO4) Physical Review B, 4 (4) 1360-1366 doi:10.1103/physrevb.4.1360
Ng, H. N., Calvo, C. (1976) X-ray study of the α–ÎČ transformation of berlinite (AlPO4). Canadian Journal of Physics, 54. 638-647 doi:10.1139/p76-070
Lang, R., Calvo, C., Datars, W. R. (1977) Phase transformation in AlPO4 and quartz studied by electron paramagnetic resonance of Fe3+. Canadian Journal of Physics, 55. 1613-1620 doi:10.1139/p77-205
Saint-Gregoire, P, Schafer, F J, Kleemann, W, Durand, J, Goifon, A (1984) Birefringence study of the α-ÎČ transformation of berlinite, AlPO4. Journal of Physics C: Solid State Physics, 17 (8). 1375-1383 doi:10.1088/0022-3719/17/8/012
Arnold, H., Bethke, J., Eckold, G., Hahn, Th., Min-Hua, J. (1984) A neutron scattering study of the incommensurate phase in AlPO4 (berlinite) near the α–ÎČ transition. Acta Crystallographica Section A Foundations of Crystallography, 40. C-134 doi:10.1107/s0108767384095878
Byrappa, K.; Srikantaswamy, S.; Prasad, J. Shashidhara (1986) X-ray data for AlPO4 crystals. Journal of Materials Science Letters, 5 (4). 495 doi:10.1007/bf01672375
Snoeck, E., Roucau, C., Saint-Grégoire, P. (1986) Electron microscopy study of the modulated phases in berlinite AlPO4 and quartz. Journal de Physique, 47. 2041-2053 doi:10.1051/jphys:0198600470120204100
Byrappa, K., Prasad, J. Shashidhara, Srikantaswamy, S. (1986) High-temperature X-ray diffraction studies of berlinite crystals. Journal of Materials Science Letters, 5 (11) 1189-1190 doi:10.1007/bf01742243
Schober, H, Dorner, B (1994) Lattice dynamics of berlinite (AlPO4): a comparative study with quartz (SiO2). Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter, 6 (28). 5351-5372 doi:10.1088/0953-8984/6/28/011
Gregora, I, Magneron, N, Simon, P, Luspin, Y, Raimboux, N, Philippot, E (2003) Raman study of AlPO4 (berlinite) at the α–ÎČ transition. Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter, 15 (25). 4487-4501 doi:10.1088/0953-8984/15/25/316
Cßntă Pßnzaru, Simona, Onac, Bogdan P. (2009) Raman study of natural berlinite from a geological phosphate deposit. Vibrational Spectroscopy, 49 (2) 97-100 doi:10.1016/j.vibspec.2008.05.003
(2021) Berlinite. Handbook of Mineralogy. Mineralogical Society of America

Localities for BerliniteHide

Showing 38 localities.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
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Locality ListHide

- 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.
Australia
 
  • Australian Capital Territory
    • Paddy's River District
McQueen et al. (1988)
      • Paddy's River Mine
McQueen +3 other references
  • Queensland
    • North Burnett Region
Duggan et al. (1990) +1 other reference
Duggan et al. (1990)
  • South Australia
    • Robertstown
Peter Elliott
  • Western Australia
    • Meekatharra Shire
      • Milgun Station
Peter Downes
Brazil
 
  • Bahia
    • Boquira
Franz et al. (2014)
Franz et al. (2014)
  • Minas Gerais
    • GalilĂ©ia
      • Sapucaia do Norte
Cassedanne et al. (1999)
    • Itinga
      • Taquaral
        • PiauĂ­ Valley
Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.)
China
 
  • Inner Mongolia
    • Chifeng City (Ulanhad League; Chifeng Prefecture)
      • Hexigten Banner (Keshiketeng Co.)
Luo et al. (2014)
Czech Republic
 
  • Olomouc Region
    • JesenĂ­k District
Reif et al. (1989)
Germany
 
  • Bavaria
    • Upper Palatinate
      • Tirschenreuth District
        • Wiesau
          • Triebendorf
Pöllmann et al. (1990)
  • Saxony
    • Erzgebirgskreis
      • Ehrenfriedersdorf
Thomas et al. (2000)
Indonesia
 
  • West Java Province
    • Bandung Regency
 ...
Italy
 
  • Sardinia
    • South Sardinia Province
      • Carbonia
        • Barbusi
Sauro et al. (2014) +1 other reference
Jordan
 
  • Amman Governorate
    • Transjordan Plateau
      • Daba-Siwaqa complex
Galuskin et al. (2023)
Madagascar
 
  • Amoron'i Mania
    • Ambatofinandrahana District
      • Itremo
Ackermand et al. (2006)
  • Vakinankaratra
    • Antsirabe II District
      • Sahanivotry Manandona
Morteani et al. (2006)
Malaysia
 
  • Sarawak
    • Miri Division
      • Mulu
McFarlane et al. (2018)
Nagarajan
Nigeria
 
  • Ondo
    • Akoko North East
Ademila et al. (2017)
Peru
 
  • Arequipa
    • Islay Province
      • Cocachacra District
Miofuvhoedki (2001)
Portugal
 
  • Viana do Castelo
    • Ponte da Barca
      • Touvedo (SĂŁo Lourenço e Salvador)
Leal Gomes et al. (2009)
Romania
 
  • Bihor County
    • Nucet
      • BăiĆŁa mining district
Onac et al. (2002)
  • Hunedoara County
    • Boșorod
Onac et al. (2002) +4 other references
Rwanda
 
  • Western Province
    • Ngororero District
      • Bwira
LefĂšvre et al. (http://www.minsocam.org/msa/special/pig/PIG_articles/Elba%20Abstracts%2012%20Lefevre.pdf) +1 other reference
      • Muhororo
Gallagher et al. (1963) +2 other references
Fransolet (1989)
Handbook of Mineralogy (http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/lacroixite.pdf) +1 other reference
Spain
 
  • Catalonia
    • Girona
      • Alt EmpordĂ 
        • CadaquĂ©s
Alfonso et al. (2000) +1 other reference
& locality references +1 other reference
Sweden (TL)
 
  • SkĂ„ne County
    • Bromölla
      • NĂ€sum
Blomstrand (1868) +1 other reference
  • Stockholm County
    • Sigtuna
      • Arlanda
Weisz et al. (2013)
  • VĂ€rmland County
    • Torsby
- (2) +4 other references
Switzerland
 
  • Valais
    • Visp
      • Törbel
Stalder et al. (1998)
USA
 
  • Arizona
    • Gila County
      • Miami-Inspiration Mining District
        • Inspiration
          • Miami-Inspiration deposit
Anthony et al. (1995)
  • Maine
King et al. (1994)
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