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Mengeite
A valid IMA mineral species
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Johann Menge
Formula:
Ba(Mg,Mn2+)Mn3+4(PO4)4(OH)4 · 4H2O
Colour:
Dark orange-red
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
3.40
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
Named in honor of Johann Menge (1788, Steinau, Hesse, Germany – 1852, Victoria, Australia), regarded as South Australia's first geologist. Though not formally trained, he has been called the "father of South Australian mineralogy" and was awarded an honorary degree of Professor of Mineralogy from the University of Lübeck in 1821. In 1840 he wrote a book entitled 'Mineral Kingdom of South Australia'.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
53055
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:53055:2
Similar Names
| Mengite (of Brooke) | A synonym of Monazite-(Ce) | |
| Mengite (of Rose) | A synonym of 'Columbite' | |
| Rengeite | A valid IMA mineral species | Sr4ZrTi4(Si2O7)2O8 |
IMA Classification of Mengeite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Ba(Mg,Mn2+)Mn3+4(PO4)4(OH)4·4H2O
Approval year:
2018
First published:
2022
Classification of Mengeite
8.DJ.50
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
J : With large and medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 = 1:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
D : Phosphates, etc. with additional anions, with H2O
J : With large and medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 = 1:1
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 for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Mge | 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 Mengeite
Vitreous
Colour:
Dark orange-red
Streak:
Pale salmon pink
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Density:
3.40 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.43 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Mengeite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.757(4) nβ = 1.776(4) nγ = 1.781(4)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.024
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. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
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:
Very High (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
No measured or calculated 2V is on file for this mineral, so the value used here (54°) is estimated from its recorded refractive indices and optic sign, not from a direct 2V measurement.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
No measured or calculated 2V is on file for this mineral, so the value used here (54°) is estimated from its recorded refractive indices and optic sign, not from a direct 2V measurement.
Chemistry of Mengeite
Mindat Formula:
Ba(Mg,Mn2+)Mn3+4(PO4)4(OH)4 · 4H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Mengeite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pedial
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.4262(11) Å, b = 5.4274(11) Å, c = 16.387(3) Å
α = 87.61(3)°, β = 98.97(3)°, γ = 110.56(3)°
α = 87.61(3)°, β = 98.97(3)°, γ = 110.56(3)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1 : 1 : 3.019
Unit Cell V:
446.29 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 16.126 Å | (100) |
| 5.106 Å | (12) |
| 4.418 Å | (44) |
| 3.246 Å | (14) |
| 3.191 Å | (9) |
| 3.145 Å | (12) |
| 2.796 Å | (25) |
| 2.680 Å | (12) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] | |
| 47e : [Vanadates, chromates, manganates] |
Type Occurrence of Mengeite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Dark orange-red masses to 0.8 mm across.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Type material is deposited in the mineralogical collections of the South Australian Museum, North Terrace, Adelaide,South Australia 5000, Australia, registration number G34744.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Mengeite
Other Language Names for Mengeite
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.DJ.05 | Johnwalkite | K(Mn2+,Fe2+,Fe3+)2(Nb5+,Ta5+)(PO4)2O2 · 2(H2O,OH) |
| 8.DJ.05 | Olmsteadite | KFe2+2(Nb5+,Ta5+)(PO4)2O2 · 2H2O |
| 8.DJ.10 | Gatumbaite | CaAl2(PO4)2(OH)2 · H2O |
| 8.DJ.15 | Camgasite | CaMg(AsO4)(OH) · 5H2O |
| 8.DJ.20 | Meurigite-K | KFe3+8(PO4)6(OH)7 · 6.5H2O |
| 8.DJ.20 | Phosphofibrite | (H2O,K)3.5Fe8(PO4)6(OH)7 · 5H2O |
| 8.DJ.20 | Meurigite-Na | NaFe3+8(PO4)6(OH)7 · 6.5H2O |
| 8.DJ.25 | Jungite | Ca2Zn4Fe3+8(PO4)9(OH)9 · 16H2O |
| 8.DJ.30 | Wycheproofite | NaAlZr(PO4)2(OH) · H2O |
| 8.DJ.35 | Ercitite | Na2Mn3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 8.DJ.40 | Mrázekite | Bi2Cu3(PO4)2O2(OH)2 · H2O |
| 8.DJ.45 | Attikaite | Ca3Cu2Al2(AsO4)4(OH)4 · 2H2O |
Fluorescence of Mengeite
none
Other Information
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 Mengeite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-53055.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Mengeite
Reference List:
Hålenius, U., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2018) CNMNC Newsletter No. 44, New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2018. Mineralogical Magazine, 82 (4) 1015-1021 doi:10.1180/mgm.2018.148
Localities for Mengeite
Showing 1 localities.
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.
Australia (TL) | |
| Hålenius et al. (2018) |
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