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Phosphate

Whiteite-(CaFeMg)

CaFe²⁺Mg₂Al₂(PO₄)₄(OH)₂·8H₂O
Hardness3–4
Crystal systemMonoclinic
ClassPhosphate
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Whiteite-(CaFeMg) specimen

Whiteite-(CaFeMg) Locality: Rapid Creek , Dawson Mining District, Yukon Territory , Canada ( Locality at mindat.org ) Size: 2.3 x 1.5 x 1.3 cm. An outstanding single crystal (1.1 cm long and wide) perched beautifully on matrix. The hexagonal barrel is attractively curved along the C-axis, and the luster is very good for the species. Ex. Wendell E. Wilson Collection. — Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0

Whiteite-(CaFeMg)

Whiteite-(CaFeMg) is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the phosphate class, with the chemical formula CaFe²⁺Mg₂Al₂(PO₄)₄(OH)₂·8H₂O.

It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system (space group P2/a). It is a member of the Jahnsite structural group.

Key properties: Mohs hardness 3–4; specific gravity 2.58; optically biaxial.

IMA symbol Wt-CaFeMg, IMA status: approved, named in 1975.

Found in a complex zoned granite pegmatite (Lavra da Ilha pegmatite, Brazil); in an iron-formation (Blow River, Canada).

It is found associated with Eosphorite, zanazziite, wardite, albite, quartz (Lavra da Ilha pegmatite, Brazil); siderite, lazulite, arrojadite, quartz (Blow River, Canada).

The mineral was named to honor John Sampson White, Jr. (1933–), Associate Curator of Mineralogy, Department of Mineral Sciences, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., USA.

Index entry. This entry combines official IMA/RRUFF species data with published physical-property data — a full written entry hasn’t been published yet. Browse more W minerals or help write this entry.