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Whiteite-(MnFeMg)

A valid IMA mineral species
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01751840017271927575498.jpg
Whiteite-(MnFeMg)

Foote Lithium Co. Mine, Kings Mountain, Cleveland County, North Carolina, USA
09359550017271927596384.jpg
Whiteite-(MnFeMg)

Foote Lithium Co. Mine, Kings Mountain, Cleveland County, North Carolina, USA
08854180017271927641789.jpg
Whiteite-(MnFeMg)

Foote Lithium Co. Mine, Kings Mountain, Cleveland County, North Carolina, USA
01751840017271927575498.jpg
Whiteite-(MnFeMg)

Foote Lithium Co. Mine, Kings Mountain, Cleveland County, North Carolina, USA
09359550017271927596384.jpg
Whiteite-(MnFeMg)

Foote Lithium Co. Mine, Kings Mountain, Cleveland County, North Carolina, USA
08854180017271927641789.jpg
Whiteite-(MnFeMg)

Foote Lithium Co. Mine, Kings Mountain, Cleveland County, North Carolina, USA
05371630017271927705754.jpg
Whiteite-(MnFeMg)

Foote Lithium Co. Mine, Kings Mountain, Cleveland County, North Carolina, USA
09359550017271927596384.jpg
Whiteite-(MnFeMg)

Foote Lithium Co. Mine, Kings Mountain, Cleveland County, North Carolina, USA
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About Whiteite-(MnFeMg)Hide

08597610017271927687613.jpg
John S. White
Formula:
{(Mn2+,Ca)}{(Fe2+,Mn2+)}{Mg2}{Al2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2O
Colour:
Brown
Hardness:
3 - 4
Specific Gravity:
2.67
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named after John Sampson White, Jr. (30 September 1933, Monessen, Pennsylvania, USA -), associate curator of minerals, Smithsonian institution; founder, editor, and publisher (1970-1982) of the Mineralogical Record. It was named at the same time as whiteite-(CaFeMg), where the suffixes indicate the dominant cations in the X, M(1), and M(2) structural positions.
Whiteite Subgroup.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
4279
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4279:2

IMA Classification of Whiteite-(MnFeMg)Hide

Classification of Whiteite-(MnFeMg)Hide

Strunz-mindat (2025):
8.DH.15

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
H : With large and medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 < 1:1
Dana 8th ed.:
42.11.3.2

42 : HYDRATED PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
11 : (AB)3(XO4)2Zq·xH2O
Hey's CIM Ref.:
19.12.62

19 : Phosphates
12 : Phosphates of Mn

Mineral SymbolsHide

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

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

Physical Properties of Whiteite-(MnFeMg)Hide

Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Brown
Hardness:
3 - 4 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
Good to perfect, {001}
Density:
2.67(2) g/cm3 (Measured)    2.62 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of Whiteite-(MnFeMg)Hide

Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.580 nβ = 1.584 - 1.585 nγ = 1.590 - 1.591
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.010 - 0.011
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
none

Chemistry of Whiteite-(MnFeMg)Hide

Mindat Formula:
{(Mn2+,Ca)}{(Fe2+,Mn2+)}{Mg2}{Al2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2O
Elements listed:
Al, Ca, Fe, H, Mg, Mn, O, P - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of Whiteite-(MnFeMg)Hide

Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Setting:
P21/a
Cell Parameters:
a = 14.99(2) Å, b = 6.96(1) Å, c = 10.14(1) Å
β = 113.19(6)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 2.154 : 1 : 1.457
Unit Cell V:
972.44 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Warped crystals showing the forms c{001}and n{111}.
Twinning:
Commonly twinned by reflection on {001}, giving a pseudo-orthorhombic outline.

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
9.318 Å(100)
4.824 Å(50)
4.644 Å(40)
3.518 Å(35)
3.245 Å(35)
2.948 Å(45)
2.776 Å(90)

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks>3.0
34 : Complex granite pegmatites

Type Occurrence of Whiteite-(MnFeMg)Hide

Type Locality:
ⓘ Ilha claim, Taquaral, Itinga, Minas Gerais, Brazil
General Appearance of Type Material:
Warped, canoe-shaped
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 161211.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Granite pegmatite
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
AlbiteEosphoriteQuartzWarditeZanazziite
Reference:
Moore, Paul Brian, Ito, Jun (1978) I. Whiteite, a new species, and a proposed nomenclature for the jahnsite-whiteite complex series. II. New data on xanthoxenite. III. Salmonsite discredited. Mineralogical Magazine, 42 (323) 309-323 doi:10.1180/minmag.1978.042.323.01

Synonyms of Whiteite-(MnFeMg)Hide

Other Language Names for Whiteite-(MnFeMg)Hide

Relationship of Whiteite-(MnFeMg) to other SpeciesHide

Member of:
Whiteite Subgroup > Jahnsite Group
Other Members of Whiteite Subgroup:
Rittmannite{(Mn2+,Ca)}{Mn2+}{(Fe2+,Mn2+,Mg)2}{(Al,Fe3+)2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
Whiteite-(CaFeMg){Ca}{(Fe2+,Mn2+)}{Mg2}{Al2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
Whiteite-(CaMgMg)CaMg3Al2(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
Whiteite-(CaMnFe)CaMnFe2Al2(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m
Whiteite-(CaMnMg){Ca}{Mn2+}{Mg2}{Al2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m
Whiteite-(CaMnMn){Ca}{Mn2+}{Mn2}{Al2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
Whiteite-(MnMnMg)MnMnMg2Al2(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
Whiteite-(MnMnMn)Mn2+Mn2+Mn2+2Al2(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b

Common AssociatesHide

Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
4 photos of Whiteite-(MnFeMg) associated with HureauliteMn2+5(PO3OH)2(PO4)2 · 4H2O
4 photos of Whiteite-(MnFeMg) associated with RockbridgeiteFe2+Fe3+4(PO4)3(OH)5
2 photos of Whiteite-(MnFeMg) associated with EosphoriteMn2+Al(PO4)(OH)2 · H2O
2 photos of Whiteite-(MnFeMg) associated with GordoniteMgAl2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 8H2O
2 photos of Whiteite-(MnFeMg) associated with Jahnsite-(CaMnFe){Ca}{Mn2+}{Fe2+2}{Fe3+2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2O
2 photos of Whiteite-(MnFeMg) associated with MitridatiteCa2Fe3+3(PO4)3O2 · 3H2O
1 photo of Whiteite-(MnFeMg) associated with ZanazziiteCa2Mg5Be4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 6H2O
1 photo of Whiteite-(MnFeMg) associated with PyriteFeS2

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

8.DH.Thebaite-(NH4)(NH4)3Al(C2O4)(PO3OH)2(H2O)Mon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DH.Whiteite-(MnMnMn)Mn2+Mn2+Mn2+2Al2(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DH.FerroberauniteFe2+Fe3+5(PO4)4(OH)5 · 6H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
8.DH.RegeriteKFe6(PO4)4(OH)7(H2O)6 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DH.Ammoniotinsleyite(NH4)Al2(PO4)2(OH) · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/m
8.DH.Dendoraite-(NH4)(NH4)2NaAl(C2O4)(PO3OH)2(H2O)2Mon. 2/m
8.DH.Rowleyite[Na(NH4,K)9Cl4][V5+,4+2(P,As)O8]6 · n[H2O,Na,NH4,K,Cl]Iso.
8.DH.HochleitneriteMn2Ti3(PO4)4O2(H2O)2 · 14H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbca
8.DH.Whiteite-(CaMnFe)CaMnFe2Al2(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m
8.DH.05MinyuliteKAl2(PO4)2F · 4H2OOrth. mm2 : Pba2
8.DH.10LeucophosphiteKFe3+2(PO4)2(OH) · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DH.10TinsleyiteKAl2(PO4)2(OH) · 2H2OMon.
8.DH.10Spheniscidite(NH4,K)(Fe3+,Al)2(PO4)2(OH) · 2H2OMon. 2/m
8.DH.15Jahnsite-(CaMnFe){Ca}{Mn2+}{Fe2+2}{Fe3+2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DH.15Jahnsite-(NaMnMn){Na}{Mn2+}{(Mn2+,Fe3+)2}{Fe3+2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DH.15Jahnsite-(CaMnMg){Ca}{Mn2+}{(Mg,Fe2+)2}{Fe3+2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DH.15Jahnsite-(CaMnMn){Ca}{Mn2+}{Mn2+2}{Fe3+2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DH.15Whiteite-(MnMnMg)MnMnMg2Al2(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DH.15Jahnsite-(CaMnZn){Ca}{Mn2+}{Zn2}{Fe3+2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DH.15Jahnsite-(MnMnMg){Mn2+}{Mn2+}{Mg2}{Fe3+2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DH.15Jahnsite-(MnMnFe){Mn2+}{Mn2+}{Fe2+2}{Fe3+2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DH.15Jahnsite-(CaFeFe){Ca}{Fe2+}{Fe2+2}{Fe3+2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon.
8.DH.15Rittmannite{(Mn2+,Ca)}{Mn2+}{(Fe2+,Mn2+,Mg)2}{(Al,Fe3+)2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DH.15KeckiteCaMn2+(Fe3+Mn2+)Fe3+2(PO4)4(OH)3 · 7H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DH.15Jahnsite-(NaMnMg){(Na,Ca)}{(Mn2+,Fe3+)}{(Mg,Fe3+)2}{Fe3+2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DH.15Jahnsite-(CaMgMg){Ca}{Mg}{Mg2}{Fe3+2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2O
8.DH.15Jahnsite-(MnMnZn){Mn2+}{Mn2+}{Zn2}{Fe3+2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DH.15Whiteite-(CaMgMg)CaMg3Al2(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DH.15Whiteite-(CaFeMg){Ca}{(Fe2+,Mn2+)}{Mg2}{Al2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DH.15Whiteite-(CaMnMg){Ca}{Mn2+}{Mg2}{Al2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m
8.DH.15Jahnsite-(MnMnMn){Mn2+}{Mn2+}{Mn2+2}{Fe3+2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DH.15Kaluginite(Mn2+,Ca)MgFe3+(PO4)2(OH) · 4H2OOrth.
8.DH.15Jahnsite-(CaFeMg){Ca}{Fe2+}{Mg2}{Fe3+2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DH.15Whiteite-(CaMnMn){Ca}{Mn2+}{Mn2}{Al2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DH.15Jahnsite-(NaFeMg){Na}{Fe3+}{Mg2}{Fe3+2}(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DH.20SegeleriteCa2 Mg2 Fe3+2(PO4)4(OH)2 · 8H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pcca
8.DH.20Lun'okite(Mn,Ca)(Mg,Fe,Mn)Al(PO4)2OH · 4H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbca
8.DH.20Manganosegelerite(Mn2+,Ca)(Mn2+,Fe2+,Mg)Fe3+(PO4)2(OH) · 4H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbca
8.DH.20WilhelmvierlingiteCaMnFe3+(PO4)2(OH) · 2H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbca
8.DH.20JuonniiteCaMgSc(PO4)2(OH) · 4H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbca
8.DH.20OveriteCaMgAl(PO4)2(OH) · 4H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbca
8.DH.25CalcioferriteCa2Fe3+2(PO4)3(OH) · 7H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
8.DH.25ZodaciteCa4Mn2+Fe3+4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 12H2OMon.
8.DH.25FanfaniiteCa4MnAl4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 12H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
8.DH.25KingsmountiteCa3MnFeAl4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 12H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DH.25MontgomeryiteCa4MgAl4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 12H2OMon. 2 : B2
8.DH.30PararobertsiteCa2Mn3+3(PO4)3O2 · 3H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DH.30RobertsiteCa2Mn3+3(PO4)3O2 · 3H2OMon. m : Bb
8.DH.30ArseniosideriteCa2Fe3+3(AsO4)3O2 · 3H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
8.DH.30Sailaufite(Ca,Na,◻)2Mn3+3(AsO4)2(CO3)O2 · 3H2OMon. m : Bm
8.DH.30MitridatiteCa2Fe3+3(PO4)3O2 · 3H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
8.DH.30KolfaniteCa2Fe3+3O2(AsO4)3 · 2H2OMon.
8.DH.35MantienneiteKMg2Al2Ti(PO4)4(OH)3 · 15H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbca
8.DH.35Sperlingite (H2O)K(Mn2+Fe3+)(Al2Ti)(PO4)4[O(OH)] [(H2O)9(OH)] · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DH.35PaulkerriteK(Mg,Mn2+)2(Fe3+,Al,Ti,Mg)2Ti(PO4)4(OH)3 · 15H2OMon. m
8.DH.35Hydroxylbenyacarite(H2O)2Mn2(Ti2Fe)(PO4)4[O(OH)](H2O)10 · 4H2O Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbca
8.DH.35MacraeiteK(H2O)Mn2(Fe2Ti)(PO4)4[O(OH)](H2O)10 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DH.35Benyacarite(H2O)2Mn2Ti2Fe3+(PO4)4(OF)(H2O)10 · 4H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbca
8.DH.35Fluormacraeite [(H2O)K]Mn2(Fe2Ti)(PO4)4(OF)(H2O)10 · 4H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DH.40XanthoxeniteCa4Fe3+2(PO4)4(OH)2 · 3H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DH.45MahnertiteNaCu3(AsO4)2Cl · 5H2OTet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : I4/mmm
8.DH.50AndyrobertsiteKCdCu5(AsO4)4(H2AsO4) · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/m
8.DH.50CalcioandyrobertsiteKCaCu5(AsO4)4(H2AsO4) · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/m
8.DH.55EnglishiteK3Na2Ca10Al15(PO4)21(OH)7 · 26H2OMon. 2/m
8.DH.60BouazzeriteBi6(Mg,Co)11Fe3+14(AsO4)18(OH)4O12 · 86H2OMon. 2/m
8.DH.65GalliskiiteCa4Al2(PO4)2F8 · 5H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DH.70JoteiteCa2CuAl(AsO4)[AsO3(OH)]2(OH)2 · 5H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DH.75KampeliteBa6Mg3Sc8(PO4)12(OH)6 · 7H2OOrth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma
8.DH.80KapundaiteNaCaFe4(PO4)4(OH)3 · 5H2OTric. 1 : P1
8.DH.85VaniniiteCa2Mn2+3Mn3+2O2(AsO4)4 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b

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 Whiteite-(MnFeMg)Hide

References for Whiteite-(MnFeMg)Hide

Localities for Whiteite-(MnFeMg)Hide

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.
Brazil
 
  • Minas Gerais
    • Conselheiro Pena
      • Barra do Cuieté
Sergio Varvello collection
    • Galiléia
      • Sapucaia do Norte
Sergio Varvello collection
    • Itinga
      • Taquaral
Moore et al. (1978)
USA
 
  • New Hampshire
    • Grafton County
      • Groton
Whitmore et al. (2004) +1 other reference
Journal of Pegmatology vol. 1 +2 other references
  • North Carolina
    • Cleveland County
      • Kings Mountain
Rocks & Min.:60:65 & 76-83.
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