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Marokite

A valid IMA mineral species
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08564630017271924876334.jpg
Marokite, etc.

Caspar quarry, Ettringen, Vordereifel, Mayen-Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
01663830017271924944665.jpg
Marokite

Tachgagalt Mine, Tansifte Caïdat, Agdz Cercle, Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco
04826390017271924963910.jpg
Marokite

Tachgagalt Mine, Tansifte Caïdat, Agdz Cercle, Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco
07617130017271924992379.jpg
Marokite

Tachgagalt Mine, Tansifte Caïdat, Agdz Cercle, Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco
08564630017271924876334.jpg
Marokite, etc.

Caspar quarry, Ettringen, Vordereifel, Mayen-Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
01663830017271924944665.jpg
Marokite

Tachgagalt Mine, Tansifte Caïdat, Agdz Cercle, Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco
04826390017271924963910.jpg
Marokite

Tachgagalt Mine, Tansifte Caïdat, Agdz Cercle, Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco
07617130017271924992379.jpg
Marokite

Tachgagalt Mine, Tansifte Caïdat, Agdz Cercle, Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco
08564630017271924876334.jpg
Marokite, etc.

Caspar quarry, Ettringen, Vordereifel, Mayen-Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
04139510017271925035750.jpg
Marokite

Tachgagalt Mine, Tansifte Caïdat, Agdz Cercle, Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco
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About MarokiteHide

03098380017271925066661.jpg
Administrative map of Morocco (2015)

Morocco
Formula:
CaMn3+2O4
Colour:
Black
Lustre:
Adamantine
Hardness:
6½
Specific Gravity:
4.64
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
For the first occurrence in Morocco, Maroc in French.
The Mn(III) analogue of ellinaite and harmunite.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
2578
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2578:8

IMA Classification of MarokiteHide

Classification of MarokiteHide

Strunz-mindat (2025):
4.BC.05

4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
B : Metal: Oxygen = 3:4 and similar
C : With medium-sized and large cations
Dana 8th ed.:
7.2.10.1

7 : MULTIPLE OXIDES
2 : AB2X4
Hey's CIM Ref.:
7.4.15

7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
4 : Oxides of Be, Mg and the alkaline earths

Mineral SymbolsHide

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

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

Physical Properties of MarokiteHide

Lustre:
Adamantine
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Black
Streak:
Reddish brown
Hardness:
6½ on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN100=800 - Vickers
Cleavage:
Perfect
{100} Perfect, {001} Good
Density:
4.64 g/cm3 (Measured)    4.63 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of MarokiteHide

Type:
Biaxial (-)
Anisotropism:
Strong: yellowish green to greenish yellow
Bireflectance:
Yellowish gray to gray-brown
Reflectivity:
WavelengthR1 (%)
400nm20.2–22.9%
420nm19.3–21.9%
440nm18.4–20.9%
460nm17.7–20.0%
480nm17.0–19.3%
500nm16.5–18.7%
520nm16.2–18.3%
540nm16.0–18.2%
560nm16.0–18.4%
580nm16.0–18.7%
600nm15.9–18.6%
620nm15.7–18.3%
640nm15.5–18.0%
660nm15.4–17.8%
680nm15.2–17.5%
700nm15.1–17.3%


Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 20.2–22.9%.
Colour in reflected light:
Gray to brown
Internal Reflections:
Dark red, carmine red
Pleochroism:
Strong
Comments:
X = c = safflower-red; Y and Z = opaque (very dark red in very thin sections)

Chemistry of MarokiteHide

Mindat Formula:
CaMn3+2O4
Element Weights:
Element% weight
Mn51.356 %
O29.912 %
Ca18.732 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
Elements listed:
Ca, Mn, O - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of MarokiteHide

Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.71(2) Å, b = 10.03(2) Å, c = 3.162(5) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.968 : 1 : 0.315
Unit Cell V:
307.95 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Prismatic, flattened on {010}, with {120}, {110}, {201}, and {011}.
Comment:
Point Group: 2/m 2/m 2/m or mm2.; Space Group: Pmab or P21ab.

Crystal StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0012829MarokiteZouari S, Ranno L, Cheikh-Rouhou A, Isnard O, Pernet M, Wolfers P, Strobel P (2003) New model for the magnetic structure of the marokite-type oxide CaMn2O4 Journal of Alloys and Compounds 353 5-112003synthetic0293
0012830MarokiteZouari S, Ranno L, Cheikh-Rouhou A, Isnard O, Pernet M, Wolfers P, Strobel P (2003) New model for the magnetic structure of the marokite-type oxide CaMn2O4 Journal of Alloys and Compounds 353 5-112003synthetic0293
0014005MarokiteLing C D, Neumeier J J, Argyriou D N (2001) Observation of antiferromagnetism in marokite CaMn2O4 Journal of Solid State Chemistry 160 167-1732001synthetic0293
0014006MarokiteLing C D, Neumeier J J, Argyriou D N (2001) Observation of antiferromagnetism in marokite CaMn2O4 Journal of Solid State Chemistry 160 167-1732001synthetic0293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
2.71 Å(vs)
2.22 Å(vs)
2.29 Å(s)
2.07 Å(s)
2.87 Å(m)
2.56 Å(m)
1.63 Å(m)

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
High-? alteration and/or metamorphism
32 : Ba/Mn/Pb/Zn deposits, including metamorphic deposits

Type Occurrence of MarokiteHide

Type Locality:
ⓘ Tachgagalt Mine, Tansifte Caïdat, Agdz Cercle, Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco
General Appearance of Type Material:
Prismatic crystals to 5 cm.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Geological Survey, Rabat, Morocco.
National School of Mines, Paris, France.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Manganese deposit
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
JouravskiteHausmanniteBrauniteCryptomelanePyrolusite
CredneriteDolomiteBaryteCalcite
Reference:
Gaudefroy, Christophe, Jouravsky, Georges, Permingeat, François (1963) La marokite, CaMn2O4, une nouvelle espèce minérale. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 86 (4) 359-367 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1963.5665

Synonyms of MarokiteHide

Other Language Names for MarokiteHide

Dutch:Marokiet
German:Marokit
Spanish:Marokita

Relationship of Marokite to other SpeciesHide

Member of:
Marokite Supergroup
Other Members of Marokite Supergroup:
ChenmingiteFeCr2O4Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma
EllinaiteCaCr2O4Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma
HarmuniteCaFe2O4Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbcm
Tschaunerite (Fe2+)(Fe2+Ti4+)O4Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Cmcm
WernerkrauseiteCa(Fe3+,Mn3+)2Mn4+O6Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma
XieiteFe2+Cr2O4Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)

Common AssociatesHide

Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
4 photos of Marokite associated with HenritermieriteCa3Mn3+2(SiO4)2[◻(OH)4]
2 photos of Marokite associated with JouravskiteCa3Mn4+(SO4)(CO3)(OH)6 · 12H2O
1 photo of Marokite associated with GaudefroyiteCa4Mn3+2-3(BO3)3(CO3)(O,OH)3

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

4.BC.AbelloemringeriteCu2Pb2Mn3+Mn4+ 3O11(OH)(H2O)2 · H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Imma
4.BC.EllinaiteCaCr2O4Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma
4.BC.AddibischoffiteCa2Al6Al6O20Tric. 1 : P1
4.BC.5Karlleuite Ca2MnO4Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : I4/mmm
4.BC.10DmitryivanoviteCaAl2O4Mon. 2/m : P21/b
4.BC.15WarkiteCa2Sc6Al6O20Tric. 1 : P1
4.BC.25KudryavtsevaiteNa3(Mg,Fe)(Fe,Ti)2Ti3O12Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbcm
4.BC.30TululiteCa14(Fe3+,Al)(Al,Zn,Fe3+,Si,P,Mn,Mg)15O36Iso. 2 3 : F2 3
4.BC.30ValleyiteCa4Fe6O13Iso. 4 3m : I4 3m
4.BC.35KrotiteCaAl2O4Mon. 2/m
4.BC.40BacaferriteBaCaFe4O8Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3 1m

Other InformationHide

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 MarokiteHide

References for MarokiteHide

Reference List:
Ribaud, P.V., Muan, A. (1963) Melting relations of Ca-O-manganese oxide and MgO-manganese oxide mixtures in air. Journal of the American Ceramic Society: 46: 33-36. (synthetic)
Gaudefroy, Christophe, Jouravsky, Georges, Permingeat, François (1963) La marokite, CaMn2O4, une nouvelle espèce minérale. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 86 (4) 359-367 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1963.5665
Fleischer, Michael (1964) New Mineral Names. American Mineralogist, 49 (5-6) 816-821
Couffon, M.M., Rocher, G., Protas, J. (1964) Determination de la structure de la marokite. Compt. Rend.: 258: 1847-1849. (in French).
Lepicard, G.; Protas, Jean (1966) Étude structurale de l'oxyde double de manganèse et de calcium orthorhombique CaMn2O4 (marokite). Bulletin de la Société française de Minéralogie et de Cristallographie, 89 (3). 318-324 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1966.5979
de Villiers, P. R., Herbstein, F. H. (1968) Second occurrence of marokite. American Mineralogist, 53 (3-4) 495-496
Ling, C.D., Neumeier, J.J., Argyriou, D.N. (2001) Observation of antiferromagnetism in marokite CaMn2O4. Journal of Solid State Chemistry: 160: 167-173.
Zouari, S., Ranno, L., Cheikh-Rouhou, A., Isnard, O., Pernet, M., Wolfers, P., Strobel, P. (2003) New model for the magnetic structure of the marokite-type oxide CaMn2O4. Journal of Alloys and Compounds: 353: 5-11.
(2005) Marokite. Handbook of Mineralogy. Mineralogical Society of America
Yamanaka, T., Uchida, A., Nakamoto, Y. (2008) Structural transition of post-spinel phases CaMn2O4, CaFe2O4, and CaTi2O4 under high pressures up to 80 GPa. American Mineralogist: 93: 1874-1881.

Localities for MarokiteHide

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.

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.
Germany
 
  • Rhineland-Palatinate
    • Mayen-Koblenz
      • Vordereifel
        • Ettringen
Schäfer (2016)
    • Vulkaneifel
      • Gerolstein
        • Hohenfels-Essingen
Blaß (2020)
India
 
  • Odisha
    • Anugul District
Mallick et al. (2005, March)
Morocco (TL)
 
  • Drâa-Tafilalet Region
    • Zagora Province
      • Agdz Cercle
        • Tansifte Caïdat
Gaudefroy et al. (1963)
Russia
 
  • Chelyabinsk Oblast
    • Miass
Palchik et al. (2014)
South Africa
 
  • Northern Cape
    • John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality
      • Joe Morolong Local Municipality
        • Black Rock
de Villiers et al. (1968)
        • N'Chwaning Mines
Cairncross et al. (1995)
Pohl et al. (1991) +1 other reference
Spain
 
  • Canary Islands
    • Santa Cruz de Tenerife Province
      • Tenerife
Dill et al. (2023)
USA
 
  • Nevada
    • Mineral County
      • Candelaria Mining District
Castor et al. (2004)
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