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Lacroixite

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About LacroixiteHide

08070200017271924593696.jpg
Alfred Lacroix at his desk
Formula:
NaAl(PO4)F
Colour:
Colourless, light yellow, light green, almost white; colourless in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Dull
Hardness:
Specific Gravity:
3.126 - 3.29
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1914 by František Slavik in honor of Antoine François Alfred Lacroix [February 4, 1863, Macon, Saône-et-Loire, France - March 12, 1948, Paris, France], a famous French mineralogist.
Frequently occurs as grains and rods in the altered margins of blocky crystals and grains of amblygonite or montebrasite embedded in granite pegmatite matrix. Not usually found in montebrasite crystals extending into cavities. Pure grains of lacroixite are uncommon.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
2310
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2310:4

IMA Classification of LacroixiteHide

Classification of LacroixiteHide

8.BH.10

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
H : With medium-sized and large cations, (OH,etc.):RO4 = 1:1
41.5.5.1

41 : ANHYDROUS PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
5 : (AB)2(XO4)Zq
22.1.2

22 : Phosphates, Arsenates or Vanadates with other Anions
1 : Phosphates, arsenates or vanadates with fluoride

Mineral SymbolsHide

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

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

Physical Properties of LacroixiteHide

Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Dull
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Colourless, light yellow, light green, almost white; colourless in transmitted light.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
4½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Poor/Indistinct
Parallel to (111) and 111) only.
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
3.126 - 3.29 g/cm3 (Measured)    3.29 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of LacroixiteHide

Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.546 nβ = 1.563 nγ = 1.580
2V:
Measured: 89° , Calculated: 88°
Birefringence:
0.034
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.034
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.

Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
Slight r
Optical Extinction:
Inclined

Chemistry of LacroixiteHide

Mindat Formula:
NaAl(PO4)F
Element Weights:
Element% weight
O39.037 %
P18.893 %
Al16.458 %
Na14.023 %
F11.589 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.

Crystallography of LacroixiteHide

Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/b
Setting:
C2/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.414 Å, b = 8.207 Å, c = 6.885 Å
β = 115.47°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.782 : 1 : 0.839
Unit Cell V:
327.20 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Usually massive or intergrown with other minerals. Rarely observed as fragmentary crystals.
Comment:
Pseudo-orthorhombic

Crystal StructureHide

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IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0000996LacroixiteLahti S I, Pajunen A (1985) New data on lacroixite, NaAlFPO4 American Mineralogist 70 849-85519850293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
4.73 Å(51)
4.627 Å(32)
3.155 Å(100)
2.895 Å(98)
2.476 Å(57)
2.166 Å(43)
1.578 Å(27)
Comments:
ICDD 39-325

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks>3.0
34 : Complex granite pegmatites
36 : Carbonatites, kimberlites, and related igneous rocks

Type Occurrence of LacroixiteHide

General Appearance of Type Material:
intergrowths, alteration rims, druses
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic, 7400;
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, 86746.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Granite pegmatites
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Other Language Names for LacroixiteHide

German:Lacroixit
Simplified Chinese:锥晶石
Spanish:Lacroixita
Traditional Chinese:錐晶石

Relationship of Lacroixite to other SpeciesHide

Member of:
Other Members of Tilasite Group:
ArsenatrotitaniteNaTi(AsO4)OMon. 2/m : B2/b
DurangiteNaAl(AsO4)FMon. 2/m : B2/b
IsokiteCaMg(PO4)FMon. 2/m : B2/b
KononoviteNaMg(SO4)FMon. 2/m : B2/b
MaxwelliteNaFe3+(AsO4)FMon. 2/m : P2/m
PanasqueiraiteCaMg(PO4)(OH)Mon.
ReznitskyiteCaMg(VO4)FMon. 2/m : B2/b
TilasiteCaMg(AsO4)FMon.

Common AssociatesHide

Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
2 photos of Lacroixite associated with AmblygoniteLiAl(PO4)F
1 photo of Lacroixite associated with BerliniteAlPO4
1 photo of Lacroixite associated with MontebrasiteLiAl(PO4)(OH)
1 photo of Lacroixite associated with ScorzaliteFe2+Al2(PO4)2(OH)2
1 photo of Lacroixite associated with ApatiteCa5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)
1 photo of Lacroixite associated with WodginiteMn2+Sn4+Ta2O8

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

8.BH.PeterchiniteZn3Zn2(OH)6As[O3(OH)3]Mon. 2/m : B2/m
8.BH.ReznitskyiteCaMg(VO4)FMon. 2/m : B2/b
8.BH.CuprozheshengitePb4CuZn2(AsO4)2(PO4)2(OH)2Tric. 1 : P1
8.BH.ZheshengitePb4ZnZn2(AsO4)2(PO4)2(OH)2Tric. 1 : P1
8.BH.CrimsonitePbFe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Cccm
8.BH.05ThadeuiteCa(Mg,Fe2+)3(PO4)2(OH,F)2Orth. 2 2 2 : C2 2 21
8.BH.10PanasqueiraiteCaMg(PO4)(OH)Mon.
8.BH.10IsokiteCaMg(PO4)FMon. 2/m : B2/b
8.BH.10ArsenatrotitaniteNaTi(AsO4)OMon. 2/m : B2/b
8.BH.10MaxwelliteNaFe3+(AsO4)FMon. 2/m : P2/m
8.BH.10DurangiteNaAl(AsO4)FMon. 2/m : B2/b
8.BH.10KononoviteNaMg(SO4)FMon. 2/m : B2/b
8.BH.15DrugmanitePb2Fe3+(PO4)(PO3OH)(OH)2Mon. 2/m : P21/b
8.BH.20Nigelcookite PbFe2+2V3+2(PO4)3(OH)3Mon. 2/m : P21/m
8.BH.20Plumbojohntomaite PbFe2+2Fe3+2(PO4)3(OH)3Mon. 2/m : P21/m
8.BH.20CirroliteCa3Al2(PO4)3(OH)3 (?)
8.BH.20PenikisiteBa(Mg,Fe2+,Ca)2Al2(PO4)3(OH)3Mon. 2/m : P21/m
8.BH.20PerloffiteBa(Mn2+,Fe2+)2Fe3+2(PO4)3(OH)3Mon. 2/m : P21/m
8.BH.20Bjarebyite Group
8.BH.20StrontioperloffiteSrMn2+2Fe3+2(PO4)3(OH)3Mon. 2/m : P21/m
8.BH.20PlumboperloffitePbMn2+2Fe3+2(PO4)3(OH)3Mon. 2/m : P21/m
8.BH.20JohntomaiteBaFe2+2Fe3+2(PO4)3(OH)3Mon. 2/m : P21/m
8.BH.20Bjarebyite(Ba,Sr)(Mn2+,Fe2+,Mg)2Al2(PO4)3(OH)3Mon. 2/m : P21/m
8.BH.20KulaniteBa(Fe2+,Mn2+,Mg)2(Al,Fe3+)2(PO4)3(OH)3Mon. 2/m : P21/m
8.BH.25BertossaiteLi2CaAl4(PO4)4(OH)4Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
8.BH.25NatropalermoiteNa2SrAl4(PO4)4(OH)4Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
8.BH.25PalermoiteLi2SrAl4(PO4)4(OH)4Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
8.BH.30SewarditeCaFe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Cccm
8.BH.30CarminitePbFe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Cccm
8.BH.35AdeliteCaMg(AsO4)(OH)Orth. 2 2 2 : P21 21 21
8.BH.35DuftitePbCu(AsO4)(OH)Orth. 2 2 2 : P21 21 21
8.BH.35CobaltaustiniteCaCo(AsO4)(OH)Orth. 2 2 2 : P21 21 21
8.BH.35NickelaustiniteCaNi(AsO4)(OH)Orth. 2 2 2 : P21 21 21
8.BH.35GabrielsonitePbFe3+(As3+O3)OOrth. mm2 : Pmc21
8.BH.35ConichalciteCaCu(AsO4)(OH)Orth. 2 2 2 : P21 21 21
8.BH.35ArsendescloizitePbZn(AsO4)(OH)Orth. 2 2 2 : P21 21 21
8.BH.35Duftite-alphaPbCu(AsO4)(OH)
8.BH.35GottlobiteCaMg(VO4)(OH)Orth. 2 2 2 : P21 21 21
8.BH.35AustiniteCaZn(AsO4)(OH)Orth. 2 2 2 : P21 21 21
8.BH.35HermannroseiteCaCu(PO4)(OH)Orth. 2 2 2 : P21 21 21
8.BH.35TangeiteCaCu(VO4)(OH)Orth. 2 2 2 : P21 21 21
8.BH.40ČechitePbFe2+(VO4)(OH)Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
8.BH.40Khorixasite(Bi0.670.33)Cu(VO4)(OH)Mon. 2/m : P2/m
8.BH.40MottramitePbCu(VO4)(OH)Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma
8.BH.40DescloizitePbZn(VO4)(OH)Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma
8.BH.40PyrobelonitePbMn2+(VO4)(OH)Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma
8.BH.45BayldonitePbCu3(AsO4)2(OH)2Mon. 2/m : B2/b
8.BH.45VésigniéiteBaCu3(VO4)2(OH)2Mon. 2/m : B2/m
8.BH.50PaganoiteNiBi(AsO4)OTric. 1 : P1
8.BH.55JagoweriteBaAl2(PO4)2(OH)2Tric.
8.BH.55HarrisoniteCa(Fe2+,Mg)6(PO4)2(SiO4)2Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m
8.BH.60AttakoliteCaMn2+Al4(SiO3OH)(PO4)3(OH)4Mon. 2/m : B2/m
8.BH.65LeningraditePbCu3(VO4)2ClOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Ibam
8.BH.70KatiarsiteKTiO(AsO4)Orth. mm2 : Pna21
8.BH.70YurgensoniteK2SnTiO2(AsO4)2Orth. mm2 : Pna21
8.BH.75MelanarsiteK3Cu7Fe3+O4(AsO4)4Mon. 2/m : B2/b
8.BH.80EvseeviteNa2Mg(AsO4)FOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbcn
8.BH.80MoraskoiteNa2Mg(PO4)FOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbcn
8.BH.85PiccoliiteNaCaMn3+2(AsO4)2O(OH)Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbcm

Other InformationHide

Notes:
Readily soluble in HCl and H2SO4.
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 LacroixiteHide

References for LacroixiteHide

Localities for LacroixiteHide

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.
Argentina
 
  • Córdoba Province
    • Calamuchita Department
      • Río de Los Sauces District
Demartis et al. (2014)
    • Cruz del Eje department
      • Candelaria District
Kampf et al. (2010)
Australia
 
  • Victoria
    • East Gippsland Shire
      • Glen Valley
Eagle
Canada
 
  • Manitoba
    • Lac-du-Bonnet area
      • Bernic Lake
Groat et al. (1990)
Czech Republic
 
  • Karlovy Vary Region
    • Cheb District
Breiter K.
Handbook of Mineralogy (http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/lacroixite.pdf)
Černý et al. (Weisser Stein)
  • Vysočina Region
    • Jihlava District
      • Puklice
Novák et al. (1996)
      • Velký Beranov
        • Jeclov
Handbook of Mineralogy (http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/lacroixite.pdf)
    • Žďár nad Sázavou District
      • Rožná
Novák +4 other references
P. Pauliš (2001)
Finland
 
  • Pirkanmaa
    • Orivesi
      • Eräjärvi area
Sandström et al. (2009)
France
 
  • Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
    • Allier
      • Vichy
        • Échassières
Econ Geol (1995)
  • Nouvelle-Aquitaine
    • Creuse
      • Aubusson
        • Soumans
Handbook of Mineralogy (http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/lacroixite.pdf)
Pirard et al. (2007) +1 other reference
Germany (TL)
 
  • Saxony
    • Erzgebirgskreis
      • Ehrenfriedersdorf
Handbook of Mineralogy (http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/lacroixite.pdf) +3 other references
Japan
 
  • Fukuoka Prefecture
    • Fukuoka City
SHIROSE et al. (2014)
Portugal
 
  • Castelo Branco
    • Idanha-a-Nova
      • União de Freg de Segura e Zebreira
Cathelineau et al. (2024)
Antunes et al. (2013)
Rwanda
 
  • Western Province
    • Ngororero District
      • Bwira
European Journal of Mineralogy: 17 (5) +1 other reference
      • Muhororo
Handbook of Mineralogy (http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/lacroixite.pdf) +2 other references
Fransolet (1989)
Handbook of Mineralogy (http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/lacroixite.pdf)
Slovakia
 
  • Košice Region
    • Gelnica District
      • Nálepkovo
Petrik et al. (2011)
Spain
 
  • Extremadura
    • Badajoz
      • Tres Arroyos
Garate-Olave et al. (2020)
Sweden
 
  • Stockholm County
    • Sigtuna
      • Arlanda
Weisz et al. (2013)
USA
 
  • Connecticut
    • Middlesex County
      • Portland
        • Collins Hill
          • Strickland pegmatite
Schooner (circa 1985) +1 other reference
  • Maine
    • Oxford County
      • Hebron
        • Mount Rubellite
Handbook of Mineralogy (http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/lacroixite.pdf) +1 other reference
  • Tennessee
    • Sevier County
      • East Fork Mining District
        • East Fork Mine (East Fork manganese mine)
Paris (2011)
 
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