Log InRegister
Search For:
Mineral Name:
Locality Name:
Keyword(s):
 
Home PageAbout MindatThe Mindat ManualHistory of MindatCopyright StatusWho We AreOur ScienceMindat Newsletter [Free Download]Contact Us
Donate to MindatSponsor a PageCorporate SponsorshipSponsored Pages
Learning CenterWhat Is a Mineral?The Most Common Minerals on EarthInformation for EducatorsMindat ArticlesMindat Newsletter [Free Download]The ElementsThe Mineral Quiz
Search FormMinerals by PropertiesMinerals by ChemistryMineral Visual ExplorerAdvanced Locality SearchRandom MineralRandom LocalitySearch by minIDMinerals by CountryAlphabetical Mineral IndexAlphabetical Locality SearchMineral Association SearchList of CountriesLocalities Near MePhoto SearchSearch ArticlesSearch GlossaryThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryMore Search Options
The Mindat ManualAdd a New PhotoRate PhotosLocality Edit ReportCoordinate Completion ReportAdd Glossary Item
MineralsPetrologyFossilsMeteoritesGeologic Time
Mining CompaniesStatisticsMineral MuseumsClubs & OrganizationsMineral Shows & EventsDevice SettingsTime Machine
Read DiscussionsIdentification Request
Photo SearchPhoto GalleriesSearch by ColourPhoto Colour ExplorerNew Photos TodayNew Photos YesterdayMembers' Photo GalleriesPast Photo of the Day GalleryPhotography

Chinnerite

A valid IMA mineral species
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
Formula:
[Mg(H2O)6]Na(H2O)2Al3(PO4)2F6
the simplified formula is NaMgAl3(PO4)2F6(H2O)8
Specific Gravity:
2.27 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Chemically and structurally related to penriceite of which it is the anhydrate counterpart. Also compare the chemically similar aldermanite and elliottite.

Product of dehydration of penriceite at T ≥ 40 oC.


Hide all sections | Show all sections

Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
471005
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:471005:5

IMA Classification of ChinneriteHide

Classification of ChinneriteHide

Strunz-mindat (2026):
8.DM.

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
M : With large and medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 > 2:1

Mineral SymbolsHide

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

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

Physical Properties of ChinneriteHide

Density:
2.27 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of ChinneriteHide

Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.496(2) nβ = 1.497(2) nγ = 1.498(2)
2V:
Measured: 70° (1), Calculated: 89.9°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.002
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. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.

Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
none
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic

Chemistry of ChinneriteHide

Mindat Formula:
[Mg(H2O)6]Na(H2O)2Al3(PO4)2F6

the simplified formula is NaMgAl3(PO4)2F6(H2O)8
Element Weights:
Element% weight
O44.420 %
F19.780 %
Al14.046 %
P10.749 %
Mg4.218 %
Na3.989 %
H2.798 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
Elements listed:
Al, F, H, Mg, Na, O, P - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Crystallography of ChinneriteHide

Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P2/m
Setting:
P2/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.863(3) Å, b = 6.946(1) Å, c = 12.345(2) Å
β = 96.85(3)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.42 : 1 : 1.777
Unit Cell V:
839.70 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Type Occurrence of ChinneriteHide

Type Locality:
ⓘ Penrice marble quarry, Penrice, Barossa Council, South Australia, Australia
General Appearance of Type Material:
aggregates of platy crystals, growing from the surface of sub-millimetre rods of angastonite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
in the collections of the South Australian Museum, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia, catalogue number G35383 (holotype), and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90007, USA, catalogue number 76301 (cotype)
Geological Setting of Type Material:
marble quarry. considered to have formed by dehydration of penriceite at temperatures of ≥40°C.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
AngastoniteElliottiteGoethiteMinyuliteMuscovite
PenriceiteTomsquarryite
Reference:
Elliott, Peter, Grey, Ian E., Boer, Stephanie, Kampf, Anthony R., MacRae, Colin M., Glenn, Alexander. M, Davidson, Cameron (2024) Chinnerite, [Mg(H2O)6]Na(H2O)2Al3(PO4)2F6, a new penriceite-related mineral, from the Penrice Marble Quarry, South Australia. Australian Journal of Mineralogy, 25 (1). 5-13

Synonyms of ChinneriteHide

Other Language Names for ChinneriteHide

German:Chinnerit

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

8.DM.TomsquarryiteNaMgAl3(PO4)2(OH)6 · 8H2OTrig. 3m(32/m) : R3m
8.DM.ElliottiteNaMgAl3(PO4)2F6 · 9H2OMon. 2/m : B2/m
8.DM.Betpakdalite-FeFe[Fe3+2 (H2O)15(OH)2Fe3+(H2O)6][Mo8As2Fe3+3O37]Mon. 2/m : B2/m
8.DM.Penriceite[Mg(H2O)6][Na(H2O)2Al3(PO4)2F6] · H2OMon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DM.Betpakdalite-CaMg[Ca2(H2O)17Mg(H2O)6][Mo8As2Fe3+3O36(OH)] Mon. 2/m : B2/m
8.DM.Sarrochite[Ca4(H2O)38][Mo8P2Fe3+3O37(OH)]Trig. 3m(32/m) : P3m1
8.DM.05EsperanzaiteNaCa2Al2(AsO4)2(OH)F4 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/m
8.DM.05MoriniteNaCa2Al2(PO4)2(OH)F4 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P21/m
8.DM.10AlexshubnikoviteCa2Cu9(AsO4)4(OH)9Cl(H2O)8 · 2H2OMon. 2/m : P2/b
8.DM.10TangdaniteCa2Cu9(AsO4)4(SO4)0.5(OH)9 · 9H2OMon. 2/m : B2/b
8.DM.10TyroliteCa2Cu9(AsO4)4(CO3)(OH)8 · 11H2OMon. 2/m
8.DM.15Melkovite[Ca2(H2O)15Ca(H2O)6][Mo8P2Fe3+3O36(OH)]Mon. 2/m : B2/m
8.DM.15Betpakdalite-NaCa[Na2(H2O)17Ca(H2O)6][Mo6+8As5+2Fe3+3O34(OH)3]Mon. 2/m : B2/m
8.DM.15Betpakdalite-CaCa[Ca2(H2O)17Ca(H2O)6][Mo6+8As5+2Fe3+3O36(OH)]Mon. 2/m : B2/m
8.DM.20Phosphovanadylite-BaBa[V4+4P2O8(OH)8] · 12H2OIso. 43m : I43m
8.DM.20Phosphovanadylite-CaCa[V4+4P2O12(OH)4] · 12H2O Iso. 43m : I43m
8.DM.25YukoniteCa3Fe3+(AsO4)2(OH)3 · 5H2OOrth. mm2
8.DM.30UdumineliteCa3Al8(PO4)2O12 · 2H2O
8.DM.35Aldermanite[Mg(H2O)6][Na(H2O)2Al3(PO4)2(OH,F)6] · H2O Mon. 2/m : P21/b
8.DM.35'Azovskite'Fe3+3(PO4)(OH)6 or near
8.DM.35DelvauxiteCaFe4(PO4,SO4)2(OH)8 · 4-6H2O not confirmedAmor.
8.DM.40Santafeite(Na,Ca,Sr)12(Mn2+,Fe3+,Al,Mg)8Mn4+8(VO4)16(OH,O)20 · 8H2OOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m)
8.DM.55TapiaiteCa5Al2(AsO4)4(OH)4 · 12H2OMon.
8.DM.60Alcantarillaite[Fe3+0.5(H2O)4][CaAs3+2(Fe3+2.5W6+0.5)(AsO4)2O7]Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Imma

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 ChinneriteHide

References for ChinneriteHide

Localities for ChinneriteHide

Showing 1 localities.

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.
Hide all sections | Show all sections

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.
Australia (TL)
 
  • South Australia
    • Barossa Council
      • Penrice
Bosi et al. (2024) +1 other reference
Quick NavTopUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography X-Ray Powder DiffractionType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
 
and/or  
Mindat.org® is an outreach project of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Mindat® and mindat.org® are registered trademarks of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy.
Copyright © mindat.org and the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy 1993-2026, except where stated. Most political location boundaries are © OpenStreetMap contributors. Mindat.org relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Founded in 2000 by Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau.
Content on this site may not be used to train, fine-tune, or otherwise develop artificial intelligence or machine learning models without prior written permission - see our Terms & Conditions.
To cite: Ralph, J., Von Bargen, D., Martynov, P., Zhang, J., Que, X., Prabhu, A., Morrison, S. M., Li, W., Chen, W., & Ma, X. (2025). Mindat.org: The open access mineralogy database to accelerate data-intensive geoscience research. American Mineralogist, 110(6), 833–844. doi:10.2138/am-2024-9486.
Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: November 1, 2026 14:21:32 Page updated: August 18, 2026 23:44:41
Go to top of page