Brockite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Brockite
Formula:
(Ca,Th,Ce)PO4 · H2O
Colour:
Reddish brown, yellow
Lustre:
Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Waxy, Dull, Earthy
Hardness:
3 - 4
Specific Gravity:
3.9
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1962 by Frances G. Fisher and Robert Meyrowitz in honor of Maurice Rex Brock (4 March 1922 - 26 December 2004, Denver, Colorado, USA), U.S. Geological Survey, who supplied the first specimen.
Compare tristramite, 'UM1979-08-PO:CCaFeHREESiTh'; 'UM1980-04-PO:CaHREETh', 'UM1979-07-PO:CaFeHREESiTh'.
Possibly identical to grayite?
See also the dubious species smirnovskite.
Heating to 800-900oC changes the structure to monazite-like (compare 'UM1983-08-PO:BaCCaHREETh' - a possible monoclinic polymorph with such kind of structure).
Possibly identical to grayite?
See also the dubious species smirnovskite.
Heating to 800-900oC changes the structure to monazite-like (compare 'UM1983-08-PO:BaCCaHREETh' - a possible monoclinic polymorph with such kind of structure).
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
780
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:780:5
IMA Classification of Brockite
Approved
IMA Formula:
(Ca,Th,Ce)(PO4) · H2O
First published:
1962
Classification of Brockite
8.CJ.45
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
J : With only large cations
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
C : Phosphates without additional anions, with H2O
J : With only large cations
40.4.7.5
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
4 : (AB)5(XO4)2·xH2O
40 : HYDRATED NORMAL PHOSPHATES,ARSENATES AND VANADATES
4 : (AB)5(XO4)2·xH2O
19.10.9
19 : Phosphates
10 : Phosphates of Pb, Th, V and Bi
19 : Phosphates
10 : Phosphates of Pb, Th, V and Bi
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bck | 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 Brockite
Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Waxy, Dull, Earthy
Transparency:
Translucent, Opaque
Colour:
Reddish brown, yellow
Comment:
Red color may be due to admixed hematite.
Streak:
Light yellow
Hardness:
3 - 4 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Sub-Conchoidal
Density:
3.9 g/cm3 (Measured)
Optical Data of Brockite
Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 1.680(2) nε = 1.695(2)
Birefringence:
0.015
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.000
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
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Brockite
Mindat Formula:
(Ca,Th,Ce)PO4 · H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Brockite
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Class (H-M):
6 2 2 - Trapezohedral
Space Group:
P62 2 2
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.96(3) Å, c = 6.40(3) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.92
Unit Cell V:
268.49 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
3
Comment:
Space group uncertain: P6222 (?).
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 6.06 Å | (35) |
| 4.37 Å | (75) |
| 3.47 Å | (50) |
| 3.03 Å | (100 very broad) |
| 2.83 Å | (75) |
| 2.37 Å | (20) |
| 2.15 Å | (75) |
| 1.860 Å | (50) |
Comments:
Fisher, Francis G. and Meyrowitz, Robert (1962) Brockite, A New Calcium Thorium Phosphate from the Wet Mountains, Colorado. American Mineralogist: 47: 1346-1355.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites |
Type Occurrence of Brockite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Reddish brown resinous masses.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 121952.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Calcite vein in granite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Brockite
Relationship of Brockite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Rhabdophane Group:
| Grayite | (Th,Pb,Ca)(PO4) · H2O | Hex. 6 2 2 : P62 2 2 |
| Rhabdophane-(Ce) | Ce(PO4) · 0.6H2O | Trig. 3 2 : P31 2 1 |
| Rhabdophane-(La) | La(PO4) · H2O | Hex. 6 2 2 : P62 2 2 |
| Rhabdophane-(Nd) | Nd(PO4) · H2O | Hex. 6 2 2 : P62 2 2 |
| Rhabdophane-(Y) | YPO4 · H2O | Hex. 6 2 2 : P62 2 2 |
| Tristramite | (Ca,U,Fe)(PO4,SO4) · 2H2O | Hex. 6 2 2 : P62 2 2 |
| UM1993-07-PO:CaCeHLa | (Ca,Ce,La,REE)PO4 · nH2O | Hex. 6 2 2 : P62 2 2 |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 11 photos of Brockite associated with Thorite | Th(SiO4) |
| 3 photos of Brockite associated with Unnamed (Al-Th Oxide) | Al2Th3O9 |
| 1 photo of Brockite associated with Zircon | Zr(SiO4) |
| 1 photo of Brockite associated with Albite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
| 1 photo of Brockite associated with Columbite-(Fe) | Fe2+Nb2O6 |
| 1 photo of Brockite associated with Clinoptilolite Subgroup | (Na/Ca/K)3-6[Al6-7Si29-30O72] · 20H2O |
| 1 photo of Brockite associated with Catapleiite | Na2Zr(Si3O9) · 2H2O |
| 1 photo of Brockite associated with Manandonite | Li2Al4(Si2AlB)O10(OH)8 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.CJ. | Airdite | Sr(V4+O)2(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ. | Dobšináite | Ca2Ca(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 8.CJ. | Sainfeldite | Ca5(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ. | Caesiumpharmacosiderite | CsFe4[(AsO4)3(OH)4] · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ. | Jeankempite | Ca5(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 7H2O |
| 8.CJ.05 | Stercorite | (NH4)Na(PO3OH) · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ.10 | Swaknoite | (NH4)2Ca(PO3OH)2 · H2O |
| 8.CJ.10 | Mundrabillaite | (NH4)2Ca(PO3OH)2 · H2O |
| 8.CJ.15 | Nabaphite | NaBaPO4 · 9H2O |
| 8.CJ.15 | Nastrophite | Na(Sr,Ba)PO4 · 9H2O |
| 8.CJ.20 | Haidingerite | CaHAsO4 · H2O |
| 8.CJ.25 | Rhabdophane-(Y) | YPO4 · H2O |
| 8.CJ.25 | Vladimirite | Ca4(AsO4)2(AsO3OH) · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ.27 | Churchite-(Dy) | (Dy,Sm,Gd,Nd)PO4 · 2H2O |
| 8.CJ.30 | Ferrarisite | Ca5(AsO4)2(HAsO4)2 · 9H2O |
| 8.CJ.35 | Fulbrightite | Ca(VO)2(AsO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ.35 | Machatschkiite | (Ca,Na)6(AsO4)(HAsO4)3(PO4,SO4) · 15H2O |
| 8.CJ.40 | Rauenthalite | Ca3(AsO4)2 · 10H2O |
| 8.CJ.40 | Phaunouxite | Ca3(AsO4)2 · 11H2O |
| 8.CJ.45 | Smirnovskite | (Th,Ca)PO4 · nH2O |
| 8.CJ.45 | Rhabdophane-(Ce) | Ce(PO4) · 0.6H2O |
| 8.CJ.45 | Rhabdophane-(La) | La(PO4) · H2O |
| 8.CJ.45 | Rhabdophane-(Nd) | Nd(PO4) · H2O |
| 8.CJ.45 | Tristramite | (Ca,U,Fe)(PO4,SO4) · 2H2O |
| 8.CJ.45 | Grayite | (Th,Pb,Ca)(PO4) · H2O |
| 8.CJ.45 | Štěpite | U(AsO3OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ.47 | Vysokýite | U4+[AsO2(OH)2]4 · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ.50 | Churchite-(Y) | Y(PO4) · 2H2O |
| 8.CJ.50 | Brushite | Ca(PO3OH) · 2H2O |
| 8.CJ.50 | Ardealite | Ca2(PO3OH)(SO4) · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ.50 | Pharmacolite | Ca(HAsO4) · 2H2O |
| 8.CJ.50 | Churchite-(Nd) | Nd(PO4) · 2H2O |
| 8.CJ.55 | Mcnearite | NaCa5(AsO4)(HAsO4)4 · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ.60 | Dorfmanite | Na2(PO3OH) · 2H2O |
| 8.CJ.65 | Sincosite | Ca(VO)2(PO4)2 · 5H2O |
| 8.CJ.65 | Bariosincosite | Ba(VO)2(PO4)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.CJ.70 | Catalanoite | Na2(PO3OH) · 8H2O |
| 8.CJ.75 | Guérinite | Ca6(HAsO4)3(AsO4)2 · 10.5H2O |
| 8.CJ.85 | Ningyoite | (U,Ca,Ce)2(PO4)2 · 1-2H2O |
Fluorescence of Brockite
Not Fluorescent
Other Information
Notes:
Radioactive
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 Brockite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-780.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 Brockite
Reference List:
Fisher, Frances G., Meyrowitz, Robert (1962) Brockite, a new calcium thorium phosphate from the Wet Mountains, Colorado. American Mineralogist, 47 (11-12) 1346-1355
Localities for Brockite
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.
Angola | |
| Beleque (2010) |
Brazil | |
| Menezes (n.d.) +1 other reference |
Canada | |
| Grice (1989) +1 other reference |
China | |
| Tiegeng Liu et al. (1987) |
Czech Republic | |
| GOLIÁŠ (2002) |
| Novák et al. (2013) +1 other reference |
| Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) |
| Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) |
| Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) | |
| Scharm +7 other references | |
| Matýsek D. (2013) |
| Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) |
| Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) | |
| Pauliš P. et al. (Kutna Hora, issue 1) |
Finland | |
| Haapala (1966) +1 other reference |
Germany | |
| Witzke (2011) |
Japan | |
| Shoji & Akai (1994) |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
Kazakhstan | |
| Pekov (1998) |
Madagascar | |
| Dr.Federico Pezzotta analysis |
Myanmar | |
| Pavel M. Kartashov analytical data |
Namibia | |
| von Bezing (2007) |
New Zealand | |
| Lilley |
Poland | |
| Kucha et al. (1980) +1 other reference |
Russia | |
| Sorokina et al. (2019) |
| Alekseev et al. (2015) |
| Pavel.M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
Sweden | |
| Sandström et al. (2010) |
Turkey | |
| Beylikahir-Eskişehir et al. (2-3) +4 other references |
USA | |
| Staatz (1985) +1 other reference |
| ... |
| Armbrustmacher (1988) | |
| Dana's New Mineralogy | |
| Dana's New Mineralogy | |
| Fisher et al. (1962) |
| Dana's New Mineralogy |
| Armbrustmacher (1988) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) | |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| USGS Open File report 2010-5220 |
| USGS PP1049-A (Staatz,1979) |
| Rocks & Min.: 63:199 |
| Gobla (2012) |
| - (2005) |
| - (2005) | |
| - (2005) | |
| - (2005) | |
| USGS Open File report 2010-5220 |
| Michael C Michayluk Collection |
| Bullock (1981) |
| Kearns et al. (2000) |
| Rocks & Min. (2007) |
| USGS Open File report 2010-5220 |
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Morefield Mine, Winterham, Amelia County, Virginia, USA