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Phosphate

Whiteite-(CaMgMg)

CaMg₃Al₂(PO₄)₄(OH)₂·8H₂O
Hardness4
Crystal systemMonoclinic
ClassPhosphate
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Whiteite-(CaMgMg)

Whiteite-(CaMgMg) is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the phosphate class, with the chemical formula CaMg₃Al₂(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 4; specific gravity 2.48; White streak; Vitreous luster; optically biaxial.

IMA symbol Wt-CaMgMg, IMA status: approved, named in 2016.

A low-temperature secondary mineral presumed to have formed as a result of hydrothermal alteration of phosphate nodules derived from the sediments.

It is found associated with Crandallite, fluorwavellite, montgomeryite, variscite/metavariscite, pyrite, quartz.

The name refers to a member of the whiteite group with the M3 site occupied by Al3+ and the suffix indicates the dominance of Ca at the X site and Mg at both the M1 and M2 sites.

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.