Childrenite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Childrenite
John George Children
Formula:
Fe2+Al(PO4)(OH)2 · H2O
Colour:
Yellowish brown, brown, clove-brown
Lustre:
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Greasy
Hardness:
5
Specific Gravity:
3.11 - 3.19
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named in 1823 by Henry J. Brooke in honor of John George Children [May 18, 1777 – January 1, 1852 Halstead, Kent, England, UK), English chemist, mineralogist, and zoologist; Keeper of minerals at the British Museum of Natural History.
Type Locality:
Childrenite-Eosphorite Series.
The Fe2+ analogue of eosphorite.
See also the related lefontite.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Childrenite.
The Fe2+ analogue of eosphorite.
See also the related lefontite.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Childrenite.Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1003
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1003:6
IMA Classification of Childrenite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1823
Classification of Childrenite
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
42.7.1.1
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
19.12.57
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.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Chd | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Childrenite
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Greasy
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Yellowish brown, brown, clove-brown
Comment:
Colourless in transmitted light.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
5 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Poor/Indistinct
Poor on {100}
Poor on {100}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Sub-Conchoidal
Density:
3.11 - 3.19 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.13(1) g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Childrenite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.644 - 1.649 nβ = 1.662 - 1.683 nγ = 1.671 - 1.691
2V:
Measured: 40° to 45°, Calculated: 50°
Birefringence:
0.035
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.027 - 0.042
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:
X = a; Y = b; Z = c. In optically twined matrial Y ∧ c = 4°-8°.
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X= yellow
Y= pink
Z= pale pink to colourless
Y= pink
Z= pale pink to colourless
Chemistry of Childrenite
Mindat Formula:
Fe2+Al(PO4)(OH)2 · H2O
Element Weights:
Common Impurities:
Ca,Mn
Chemical Analysis
Oxide wt%:
| 1 | |
|---|---|
| P2O5 | 30,97 % |
| Al2O3 | 21,77 % |
| FeO | 16,59 % |
| MnO | 13,55 % |
| MgO | 0,07 % |
| CaO | 0,09 % |
| Total: | 80 % |
Sample references:
| ID | Locality | Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Buranga pegmatite, Muhororo, Ngororero District, Western Province, Rwanda |
Crystallography of Childrenite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mm2 - Pyramidal
Space Group:
Ccc2
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.41 Å, b = 13.42 Å, c = 6.92 Å
α = 90°, β = 90°, γ = 90°
α = 90°, β = 90°, γ = 90°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.776 : 1 : 0.516
Unit Cell V:
966.74 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Equant to pyramidal crystals, short prismatic [001], tabular, platy, radiating groups, fibrous crusts, massive.
Twinning:
Common. May show on {100} and {001}. Twins evident when of varying proportions but symmetrical twins consist of four to eight individuals in sectors with four individuals comprising a "termination". Visible twinning is uncommon.
Comment:
Bba2; possibly monoclinic pseudo-orthorhombic.
Crystallographic forms of Childrenite
Crystal Atlas:
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Childrenite no.1 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Childrenite no.9 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
3d models and HTML5 code kindly provided by
www.smorf.nl.
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0014785 | Childrenite | Giuseppetti G, Tadini C (1984) The crystal structure of childrenite from Tavistock (SW England), Ch89Eo11 term of childrenite-eosphorite series Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, Monatshefte 1984 263-271 | 1984 | Tavistock, SW England | 0 | 293 | |
| 0014786 | Childrenite | Giuseppetti G, Tadini C (1984) The crystal structure of childrenite from Tavistock (SW England), Ch89Eo11 term of childrenite-eosphorite series Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, Monatshefte 1984 263-271 | 1984 | Tavistock, SW England | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 6.71 Å | (64) |
| 5.197 Å | (36) |
| 4.362 Å | (22) |
| 3.528 Å | (28) |
| 2.816 Å | (100) |
| 2.419 Å | (50) |
| 1.521 Å | (40) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 22 : Hydration and low-𝑇 subsurface aqueous alteration (see also #23) | |
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites |
Geological Setting:
Complex granitic pegmatites, a low temperature hydrothermal alteration product of primary phosphates.
Type Occurrence of Childrenite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Small yellow crystals on quartz.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No defined type material.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Low temperature hydrothermal veins.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Childrenite
Dutch:Childreniet
German:Childrenit
Russian:Чилдренит
Simplified Chinese:磷铝铁石
Spanish:Childrenita
Traditional Chinese:磷鋁鐵石
Relationship of Childrenite to other Species
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 348 photos of Childrenite associated with Vauxite | Fe2+Al2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 6H2O |
| 329 photos of Childrenite associated with Paravauxite | Fe2+Al2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2O |
| 115 photos of Childrenite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 47 photos of Childrenite associated with Roscherite | Ca2Mn2+5Be4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 6H2O |
| 41 photos of Childrenite associated with Wardite | NaAl3(PO4)2(OH)4 · 2H2O |
| 30 photos of Childrenite associated with Siderite | FeCO3 |
| 21 photos of Childrenite associated with Ruifrancoite | Ca2(◻,Mn)2(Fe3+,Mn,Mg)4Be4(PO4)6(OH)4(OH,H2O)2 · 4H2O |
| 20 photos of Childrenite associated with Vivianite | Fe2+Fe2+2(PO4)2 · 8H2O |
| 15 photos of Childrenite associated with Gormanite | (Fe2+,Mg)3(Al,Fe3+)4(PO4)4(OH)6 · 2H2O |
| 14 photos of Childrenite associated with Fluorapatite | Ca5(PO4)3F |
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 | Eosphorite | Mn2+Al(PO4)(OH)2 · H2O |
| 8.DD.20 | Ernstite | (Mn2+,Fe3+)Al(PO4)(OH,O)2 · H2O |
| 8.DD.20 | Lefontite | Fe2Al2Be(PO4)2(OH)6 |
| 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 Childrenite
Not Fluorescent
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 Childrenite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1003.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Childrenite
Reference List:
Church, A. H. (1873) New analyses of certain mineral arseniates and phosphates. Journal of the Chemical Society, 26. 101-111 doi:10.1039/js8732600101
Larsen, Esper S. (1921) The microscopic determination of the nonopaque minerals. Bulletin 679. US Geological Survey doi:10.3133/b679 p.57
Landes, Kenneth K. (1925) The paragenesis of the granite pegmatites of central Maine. American Mineralogist, 10 (11) 355-411 p.384
Barnes, William (1949) The unit cell and space group of childrenite. American Mineralogist, 34 (1-2) 12-18
Barnes, W. H., Shore, Violet C. (1951) The childrenite-eosphorite problem. American Mineralogist, 36 (5-6) 509-510
Kingsbury, Arthur W. G., Hartley, J. (1957) Childrenite from the Lake District, Cumberland. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 31 (237). 498 doi:10.1180/minmag.1957.031.237.10
Winchell, Horace (1958) Optics of the eosphorite-childrenite series. American Mineralogist, 43 (7-8) 765-768
Fransolet, A.-M. (1980) The eosphorite-childrenite series associated with the Li-Mn-Fe phosphate minerals from the Buranga pegmatite, Rwanda. Mineralogical Magazine, 43 (332) 1015-1023 doi:10.1180/minmag.1980.043.332.09
Braithwaite, R. S. W., Cooper, B. V. (1982) Childrenite in South-West England. Mineralogical Magazine, 46 (338) 119-126 doi:10.1180/minmag.1982.046.338.18
Hansen, Staffan, Landa‐Cánovas, Angel (1994) Childrenite and millisite from Västanå Iron Mine, Skåne, Sweden. GFF, 116 (2) 92 doi:10.1080/11035899409546164
Bermanec, V., Šćavničar, S., ZebeC, V. (1995) Childrenite and crandallite from the Stari Trg mine (Trepča), Kosovo: new data. Mineralogy and Petrology, 52 (3) 197-208 doi:10.1007/bf01163245
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
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 Childrenite
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 | |
| Lyckberg (2011) |
Argentina | |
| Kampf et al. (2010) |
| Galliski et al. (2020) |
Australia | |
| Harrowfield et al. (1981) |
| Pers. comm. from Peter Elliott and ... |
| |
| |
Austria | |
| Niedermayr et al. (1995) |
| Niedermayr et al. (1995) | |
| Paar (1974) +1 other reference |
Bolivia | |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference |
Brazil | |
| Cassedanne et al. (1982) |
| Richard Dale Collection |
| Cassedanne (1983) | |
| Menezes Filho et al. (2019) | |
| Cassedanne et al. (1981) |
| Cassedanne et al. (1999) |
| Moore et al. (1978) +1 other reference |
| Joan Viñals analysis |
| Hatert et al. (2017) | |
| Sergio Varvello collection | |
| Betts (n.d.) | |
| Cassedanne (1983) | |
| Sergio Varvello collection +2 other references |
| Luigi Chiappino data |
Canada | |
| Breasley et al. (2024) |
| Richardson (1988) |
| Robinson et al. (1992) |
| 150-152. +2 other references | |
| Robinson et al. (1992) |
China | |
| Rao et al. (2017) |
Czech Republic | |
| Uher et al. (1998) |
Europe | |
| Berbain et al. (2012) | |
Finland | |
| Haapala (1966) |
France | |
| Nicolas et al. (1963) |
| Forner et al. (1997) |
| Berbain et al. (2012) |
| Guitard (2010) |
Germany | |
| Dill et al. (2012) |
| Dill et al. (2008) | |
| web.archive.org (2001) |
| Kastning et al. (1996) +2 other references | |
| Handbook of Mineralogy (http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/lacroixite.pdf) +2 other references |
Japan | |
| Matsubara et al. (1980) |
Kosovo | |
| Féraud J. (1979) +1 other reference |
Namibia | |
| von Bezing (2007) |
| Förch (1998) |
Portugal | |
| Cathelineau et al. (2024) |
| Neiva et al. (2000) |
| Alves (2016) |
| Schnorrer-Köhler (1991) |
| Maijer 1965 |
| Dias P et al. (2014) |
| Neiva et al. (2000) |
Rwanda | |
| Lefèvre et al. (http://www.minsocam.org/msa/special/pig/PIG_articles/Elba%20Abstracts%2012%20Lefevre.pdf) +1 other reference |
| Daltry et al. (1998) |
Spain | |
| Calvo Rebollar et al. (2022) |
| Calvo Rebollar (2015) |
| Roda-Robles et al. (2010) | |
| Roda-Robles et al. (2012) |
| Garate-Olave I et al. (2014) |
| Weibel (1954) |
| Fuertes-Fuente et al. (2001) |
| Calvo Rebollar (2015) | |
| Fuertes-Fuente et al. (2001) |
| Roza Llera +3 other references | |
| Fuertes-Fuente et al. (2001) |
Sweden | |
| Hansen et al. (1994) |
| Weisz et al. (2013) |
UK | |
| Braithwaite et al. (1982) |
| Braithwaite et al. (1982) |
| Braithwaite et al. (1982) |
| Braithwaite et al. (1982) |
| Day (1999) |
| Hall (1868) +3 other references | |
| Collection Richard De Nul |
| Golley et al. (1995) |
| Braithwaite et al. (1982) | |
| Kingsbury et al. (1957) +1 other reference |
| American Mineralogist (1950) +2 other references | |
| sample from the collection of Richard ... |
| Braithwaite et al. (1982) |
| Braithwaite et al. (1982) |
| Braithwaite et al. (1982) | |
| Braithwaite et al. (1982) | |
| Rammelsberg (1852) +4 other references |
| Braithwaite et al. (1982) | |
| Braithwaite et al. (1982) |
| Braithwaite et al. (1982) | |
| Braithwaite et al. (1982) | |
| Braithwaite et al. (1982) | |
| Braithwaite et al. (1982) | |
| Braithwaite et al. (1982) | |
| Braithwaite et al. (1982) | |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference | |
| Dana 7:II:938 +1 other reference | |
| Braithwaite et al. (1982) |
| Braithwaite et al. (1982) | |
| Braithwaite et al. (1982) |
USA | |
| Rocks and Minerals (1999) +1 other reference |
| Moore (1973) |
| Falster et al. (2019) +1 other reference |
| USGS Bull 445 +1 other reference |
| King (n.d.) |
| www.mindat.org (2003) +3 other references | |
| www.mindat.org (2003) +1 other reference |
| Tim Blake |
| Hurlbut (1950) +1 other reference | |
| T Mortimer collection |
| Rocks & Min. 80:251 |
| Moore (1965) +4 other references | |
| Rocks & Min. +2 other references | |
| Thompson et al. (2022) |
| Smith (2005) |
| Kenny Gay |
| Staatz +4 other references |
| Rocks & Minerals: 60: 117. | |
| Campbell et al. (1985) |
| Smith et al. (2000) |
| Bosi et al. (2025) | |
| Smith et al. (2000) | |
| King (n.d.) |
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George and Charlotte Mine, Devon and Cornwall United Mines, Gulworthy, West Devon, Devon, England, UK