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
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| 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 |
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
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 167 photos of Eosphorite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 140 photos of Eosphorite associated with Rose Quartz | SiO2 |
| 120 photos of Eosphorite associated with Zanazziite | Ca2Mg5Be4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 6H2O |
| 85 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
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
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
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.
Afghanistan | |
| Joseph Freillich | |
| Lyckberg (2011) |
| Poullen et al. (1978) |
Argentina | |
| Kampf et al. (2010) |
| Dina (1993) |
| American Mineralogist (1978) | |
| Gay et al. (1991) |
| GALLISKI (1983) +1 other reference |
| Galliski et al. (2002) | |
| Černý et al. (2011) |
| OYARZABAL et al. (H2O) +1 other reference |
| Roda-Robles et al. (2012) |
Australia | |
| Peter Elliott & Vince Peisley |
| Pring et al. (2000) |
| Birch et al. (1993) |
Brazil | |
| dan weinrich |
| Natural History Museum Collections (London 2008) +1 other reference |
| Moore (2001) |
| SILVEIRA et al. (2014) | |
| Menezes Filho et al. (2019) +1 other reference | |
| Cassedanne (1983) +1 other reference | |
| Betts (n.d.) | |
| SILVEIRA et al. (2014) | |
| Baijot et al. (2012) |
| ... |
| Sergio Varvello collection | |
| Atencio et al. (2005) |
| Moore et al. (1978) |
| Chukanov et al. (2007) |
| King (n.d.) | |
| Luis Menezes +1 other reference | |
| Sergio Varvello collection | |
| Betts (n.d.) | |
| Atencio et al. (2006) | |
| Cassedanne (1983) | |
| Murdoch (1955) |
| Witzke et al. (2000) | |
| da Costa et al. (2005) +1 other reference |
| Amores et al. (2014) +1 other reference | |
| Robinson et al. (1998) | |
Canada | |
| Ercit et al. (2010) |
| Johnston (1915) |
| Robinson et al. (1992) |
| Grice (1989) +1 other reference | |
| Cindy Hasler (canadianminerals.net) | |
| Robinson et al. (1992) | |
| Robinson et al. (1992) | |
China | |
| Rao et al. (2017) |
Czech Republic | |
| Masau +2 other references |
Europe | |
| Berbain et al. (2012) | |
Finland | |
| Sandström et al. (2009) |
| Hytönen |
France | |
| Rosen (1965) |
| Pirard et al. (2007) +1 other reference |
| Berbain et al. (2012) |
Germany | |
| Weiß (1990) +1 other reference |
| Dill et al. (2012) |
| Dill et al. (2008) | |
| Weiß (1990) |
| web.archive.org (2001) +1 other reference | |
| Dill et al. (2015) |
| Wittern (2001) +1 other reference | |
| www.vfmg-weiden.de (2001) |
| Wittern (2001) |
Italy | |
| Gramaccioli C.M. (1975) |
Japan | |
| Matsubara et al. (1980) |
| Ryoji Tanaka specimen |
Kazakhstan | |
| Evseev (1995) +1 other reference |
Mozambique | |
| Wilson et al. (2000) |
| Neves et al. (1968) |
Namibia | |
| von Bezing (2007) |
| Keller (1974) | |
| portal.unesco.org (n.d.) |
| Mineralogical Research Co. specimen |
| Keller et al. (1989) |
| Keller et al. (2007) |
| von Bezing (2007) |
Pakistan | |
| TVM Specimen |
| Harvard Museum of Natural History ... | |
| imported from Rondu District +1 other reference | |
Portugal | |
| Cathelineau et al. (2024) |
| Neiva et al. (2000) |
| Alves (n.d.) |
| Alves (n.d.) | |
| Maijer 1965 |
| |
| Leal Gomes et al. (2009) |
| Alves (n.d.) |
| Dias P et al. (2014) |
| Martins et al. (2011) +1 other reference |
| Novák et al. (2009) |
| Neiva et al. (2000) |
| Pedro Alves analytical data and ... |
Russia | |
| Zapiski Vserossiyskogo Mineralogicheskogo Obshchestva: 121 (2) +1 other reference |
| Pekov (1998) | |
| Gonevchuk et al. (2005) |
| Lykova I. S. et al. (2017) |
Rwanda | |
| Hatert et al. (2004) |
| Bertossa (1968) +1 other reference |
Spain | |
| Roda et al. (2001) |
| Encarnación Roda-Robles (2007) +1 other reference |
| Roda-Robles et al. (2012) |
| Am Min 90:1887-1899 |
| Garate-Olave I et al. (2014) |
| Calvo Rebollar (2015) |
| Canosa et al. (2011) +1 other reference |
| Calvo Rebollar (2015) |
| Fuertes-Fuente et al. (2001) |
| Fuertes-Fuente et al. (2001) |
| Roza Llera +3 other references | |
| Fuertes-Fuente et al. (2001) |
| Fuente et al. (1996) | |
Sweden | |
| Gustafsson et al. (1991) |
| Gustafsson (1991) |
| |
| Sandström (2008) |
Uganda | |
| von Knorring et al. (1979) |
USA | |
| London et al. (1982) |
| London et al. (1982) |
| Fisher (2002) |
| with a description of several new ... +5 other references |
| Schooner (circa 1985) |
| |
| Thompson et al. (1998) | |
| |
| King et al. (1994) |
| Rocks and Minerals (1999) +1 other reference |
| King (2000) |
| Moore (1973) +2 other references |
| Mineral News (1995) +2 other references |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| King et al. (1994) +1 other reference |
| King et al. (1994) +1 other reference | |
| King et al. (1994) | |
| Shaub | |
| King et al. (1994) | |
| Gary Freeman | |
| King et al. (1994) +1 other reference | |
| King et al. (6) +1 other reference | |
| |
| |
| Palache et al. (1951) +2 other references | |
| Lloyd W. Alexander Galleries | |
| King et al. (1994) |
| W. B. Thompson et al. (2005) |
| Thompson et al. (1998) | |
| |
| P Cristofono collection/ ex- C. ... | |
| Czaja (2025) |
| King (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| USGS Prof Paper 353 +6 other references | |
| Geological Society of America Abstracts ... +2 other references | |
| Smith (2005) +1 other reference |
| Rocks & Minerals 80:4 pp234-241 +2 other references |
| Morrill +1 other reference |
| King (n.d.) | |
| White et al. (1969) +3 other references |
| Magma Field Trip Reports |
| Smithsonian Institution Mineral ... | |
| Campbell et al. (1985) |
| Smith et al. (2000) |
Quick NavTopAbout EosphoriteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Chemical AnalysisCrystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence Other LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Roberto Caldeira claim, Linópolis, Divino das Laranjeiras, Minas Gerais, Brazil