Bobfergusonite
A valid IMA mineral species
This page kindly sponsored by Robert S Ferguson
About Bobfergusonite
Formula:
Na2Mn5FeAl(PO4)6
Colour:
Green-brown to red-brown
Lustre:
Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Greasy
Hardness:
4
Specific Gravity:
3.54
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named by T. Scott Ercit, A. J. Anderson, Petr Cerny, and Frank C. Hawthorne in honor of Robert Bury Ferguson [February 5, 1920- Jan 18, 2015], Professor of Mineralogy, University of Manitoba, Canada.
Isostructural with:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
700
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:700:9
IMA Classification of Bobfergusonite
Approved
IMA Formula:
◻Na2Mn2+5Fe3+Al(PO4)6
Approval year:
1984
First published:
1986
Classification of Bobfergusonite
8.AC.15
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
A : Phosphates, etc. without additional anions, without H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
A : Phosphates, etc. without additional anions, without H2O
C : With medium-sized and large cations
38.2.4.5
38 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, AND VANADATES
2 : (AB)5(XO4)3
38 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, AND VANADATES
2 : (AB)5(XO4)3
19.12.58
19 : Phosphates
12 : Phosphates of Mn
19 : Phosphates
12 : Phosphates of Mn
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bfg | 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 Bobfergusonite
Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Greasy
Transparency:
Translucent
Comment:
Bronzy on parting planes.
Colour:
Green-brown to red-brown
Streak:
Yellow-brown
Hardness:
4 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect on {010}, {100} good.
Perfect on {010}, {100} good.
Parting:
Parting on {100}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
3.54(1) g/cm3 (Measured) 3.57 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Bobfergusonite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.694(1) nβ = 1.698(1) nγ = 1.715(2)
2V:
Measured: 46° , Calculated: 52°
Birefringence:
0.021
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.021
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.
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.
Dispersion:
relatively strong
Optical Extinction:
Y || b, X ^ a = + 10°
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X=Y= Yellow-orange
Z= Orange
Z>X = Y
Z= Orange
Z>X = Y
Chemistry of Bobfergusonite
Mindat Formula:
Na2Mn5FeAl(PO4)6
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Bobfergusonite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P2/b
Cell Parameters:
a = 12.773 Å, b = 12.486 Å, c = 11.038 Å
β = 114.35(13)°
β = 114.35(13)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.023 : 1 : 0.884
Unit Cell V:
1,603.78 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Equant anhedral crystals to 1cm and nodular aggregates.
Comment:
P21/n, Can Min 24:605 (1986) structure
Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0005932 | Bobfergusonite | Tait K T, Hawthorne F C, Cerny P, Galliski M A (2004) Bobfergusonite from the Nancy Pegmatite, San Luis Range, Argentina: Crystal-structure refinement and chemical composition The Canadian Mineralogist 42 705-716 | ![]() | 2004 | Nancy Pegmatite, San Luis Range, Argentina | 0 | 293 |
| 0005212 | Bobfergusonite | Ercit T S, Hawthorne F C, Cerny P (1986) The crystal structure of bobfergusonite. The Canadian Mineralogist 24 605-614 | ![]() | 1986 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.05 Å | (100) |
| 2.90 Å | (40) |
| 2.87 Å | (70) |
| 2.82 Å | (40) |
| 2.74 Å | (40) |
| 2.71 Å | (50) |
| 2.51 Å | (50) |
| 2.08 Å | (70) |
Comments:
ICDD 40-509
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 Bobfergusonite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Royal Ontario Museum, Ottawa, Canada M42687
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Primary mineral in intermediate zone of granitic pegmatite enriched in Mn and F
Synonyms of Bobfergusonite
Other Language Names for Bobfergusonite
Relationship of Bobfergusonite to other Species
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 1 photo of Bobfergusonite associated with Manitobaite | Na16Mn2+ 25Al8(PO4)30 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.AC. | 'Crocobelonite-1M' | CaFe3+2O(PO4)2 |
| 8.AC. | Magnesioqingheiite | Na2Mg(MgAl)(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC. | Manganobadalovite | NaNaMn(MgFe3+)(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC. | Changesite-(Y) | (Ca8Y)◻Fe2+(PO4)7 |
| 8.AC. | Babunaite-(Nd) | NdAsO4 |
| 8.AC. | Crocobelonite | CaFe3+2O(PO4)2 |
| 8.AC. | Wopmayite | Ca6Na3◻Mn(PO4)3(PO3OH)4 |
| 8.AC. | Beershevaite | CaFe3+3(PO4)3O |
| 8.AC. | Epiebnerite | (NH4)Zn(PO4) |
| 8.AC. | Ebnerite | (NH4)Zn(PO4) |
| 8.AC.X | Dyrnaesite-(La) | Na8Ce4+(La,REE)2(PO4)6 |
| 8.AC. | Edtollite | K2NaCu5Fe3+O2(AsO4)4 |
| 8.AC. | Angarfite | NaFe3+5(PO4)4(OH)4 · 4H2O |
| 8.AC. | Kabalovite | Fe2+3Fe3+4(PO4)6 |
| 8.AC. | Nazarchukite | Ca2NiFe3+2(PO4)4 |
| 8.AC. | Calciohatertite | NaNaCa(CaFe3+)(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC. | Alumoedtollite | K2NaCu5AlO2(AsO4)4 |
| 8.AC.02 | Grigorievite | Cu3Fe3+2Al2(VO4)6 |
| 8.AC.02 | Koksharovite | CaMg2Fe3+4(VO4)6 |
| 8.AC.02 | Ziminaite | Fe3+ 6 (VO4)6 |
| 8.AC.05 | Hatertite | Na2(Ca,Na)(Fe3+,Cu)2(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.05 | Erikapohlite | Cu3(Zn,Cu,Mg)4Ca2(AsO4)6 · 2H2O |
| 8.AC.05 | 'Unnamed (Na-Mg Arsenate Hydroxyarsenate)' | NaMg3(AsO4)(AsO3OH)2 |
| 8.AC.05 | 'Unnamed (Na-Zn-H Arsenate Hydroxyarsenate)' | Na(Na0.6Zn0.4)Zn2(H0.6AsO4)(AsO3OH)2 |
| 8.AC.05 | Calciojohillerite | NaCaMg3(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.05 | Magnesiohatertite | (Na,Ca)2Ca(Mg,Fe3+)2(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.05 va | 'Alluaudite-Na[]' | ◻4Na4Mn2+4Fe3+8(PO4)12 |
| 8.AC.05 va | 'Alluaudite-Ca[]' | ◻4Ca4Mn2+4Fe3+8(PO4)12 |
| 8.AC.05 va | 'Ferroalluaudite-NaNa' | Na4Na4Fe2+4Fe3+8(PO4)12 |
| 8.AC.05 | 'Hagendorfite-NaNa' | NaNaFe2+(Mn2+,Mn3+)(PO4)3 (?) |
| 8.AC.05 | O'Danielite | Na(Zn,Mg)3(AsO4)(AsO3OH)2 |
| 8.AC.05 | Howardevansite | NaCuFe2(VO4)3 |
| 8.AC.05 | Khrenovite | Na3Fe3+2(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.05 | Zincobradaczekite | NaZn2Cu2(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.05 | Paraberzeliite | NaCa2Mg2(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.05 | Badalovite | Na2Mg2Fe(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.05 | Magnesiocanutite | NaMnMg2[AsO4]2[AsO2(OH)2] |
| 8.AC.05 | Manganohatertite | NaNaCa(MnFe3+)(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.05 | Camanchacaite | NaCaMg2[AsO4][AsO3(OH)]2 |
| 8.AC.07 | Zhanghuifenite | Na3Mn4Mg2Al(PO4)6 |
| 8.AC.07 | Ferrobobfergusonite | Na2Fe2+5Fe3+Al(PO4)6 |
| 8.AC.10 | Hagendorfite | NaCaMn2+Fe2+2(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.10 | 'Ferrohagendorfite' | NaCaFe2+Fe2+2(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.10 | Johillerite | Na(Mg,Zn)3Cu(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.10 | Varulite | NaCaMn2+Mn2+2(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.10 | Nickenichite | Na0.8Ca0.4Cu0.4(Mg,Fe)3(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.10 | Arseniopleite | NaCaMnMn2(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.10 | Groatite | NaCaMn2(PO4)[PO3(OH)]2 |
| 8.AC.10 | Alluaudite | (Na,Ca)Mn2+(Fe3+,Mn2+,Fe2+,Mg)2(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.10 | Bradaczekite | NaCu4(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.10 | Caryinite | (Na,Pb)(Ca,Na)CaMn2+2(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.10 | Ferroalluaudite | (Na,Ca)Fe2+(Fe3+,Mn2+,Fe2+)2(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.10 | Maghagendorfite | (Na,◻)MgMn2+(Fe2+,Fe3+)2(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.15 | Ferrowyllieite | (Na,Ca,Mn)(Fe,Mn)(Fe,Fe,Mg)Al(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.15 | Qingheiite | NaNaMn2+(MgAl)(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.15 | Rosemaryite | (Na,Ca,Mn)(Mn,Fe2+)(Fe3+,Mg)Al(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.15 | Ferroqingheiite | NaNaFe2+(MgAl)(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.15 | Ferrorosemaryite | ◻NaFe2+Fe3+Al(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.15 | Wyllieite | (Na,Ca,Mn)(Mn,Fe)(Fe,Mg)Al(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.17 | Czochralskiite | Na4Ca3Mg(PO4)4 |
| 8.AC.18 | Manitobaite | Na16Mn2+ 25Al8(PO4)30 |
| 8.AC.20 | Marićite | NaFe2+(PO4) |
| 8.AC.25 | Schäferite | (NaCa2)Mg2(VO4)3 |
| 8.AC.25 | Berzeliite | (NaCa2)Mg2(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.25 | Matyhite | Ca18(Ca,◻)2Fe2+2(PO4)14 |
| 8.AC.25 | Hedegaardite | (Ca,Na)9(Ca,Na)Mg(PO4)6(PO3OH) |
| 8.AC.25 | Manganberzeliite | (NaCa2)Mn2+2(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.25 | Palenzonaite | (NaCa2)Mn2+2(VO4)3 |
| 8.AC.30 | Brianite | Na2CaMg(PO4)2 |
| 8.AC.35 | Vitusite-(Ce) | Na3(Ce,La,Nd)(PO4)2 |
| 8.AC.40 | Bario-olgite | (Ba,Sr)(Na,Sr,REE)2Na(PO4)2 · |
| 8.AC.40 | Olgite | (Sr,Ba)(Na,Sr,REE)2Na(PO4)2 |
| 8.AC.45 | Magnesiochangesite-(Ce) | (Ca8Ce)◻Mg(PO4)7 |
| 8.AC.45 | Tuite | Ca3(PO4)2 |
| 8.AC.45 | Ferromerrillite | Ca9NaFe2+(PO4)7 |
| 8.AC.45 | Strontiowhitlockite | Sr9Mg(PO4)6(PO3OH) |
| 8.AC.45 | Magnesiochangesite-(Y) | (Ca8Y)◻ Mg(PO4)7 |
| 8.AC.45 | Changesite-(Ce) | (Ca8Ce)◻Fe2+(PO4)7 |
| 8.AC.45 | Merrillite | Ca9NaMg(PO4)7 |
| 8.AC.45 | Whitlockite | Ca9Mg(PO4)6(PO3OH) |
| 8.AC.47 | Iwateite | Na2BaMn(PO4)2 |
| 8.AC.47 | Ozerovaite | Na2KAl3(AsO4)4 |
| 8.AC.47 | Yurmarinite | Na7(Fe3+,Mg,Cu)4(AsO4)6 |
| 8.AC.47 | Pansnerite | K3Na3(Fe3+,Al)6(AsO4)8 |
| 8.AC.47 | Anatolyite | Na6(Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe3+)3Al(AsO4)6 |
| 8.AC.50 | Fillowite | Na3CaMn2+11(PO4)9 |
| 8.AC.50 | Galileiite | Na3Fe2+Fe2+11(PO4)9 |
| 8.AC.50 | Johnsomervilleite | Na3CaFe11(PO4)9 |
| 8.AC.50 | Xenophyllite | Na4Fe2+7(PO4)6 |
| 8.AC.50 | Udinaite | NaMg4(VO4)3 |
| 8.AC.50 | Arsenudinaite | NaMg4(AsO4)3 |
| 8.AC.50 | Chladniite | Na3CaMg11(PO4)9 |
| 8.AC.52 | Lasnierite | (Ca,Sr)(Mg,Fe2+)2Al(P[O,F]4)3 |
| 8.AC.55 | Pharmazincite | KZnAsO4 |
| 8.AC.57 | Zubkovaite | Ca3Cu3(AsO4)4 |
| 8.AC.60 | Kosnarite | KZr2(PO4)3 |
| 8.AC.65 | Panethite | (Na,Ca)2(Mg,Fe2+)2(PO4)2 |
| 8.AC.70 | Stanfieldite | Ca4Mg5(PO4)6 |
| 8.AC.75 | Ronneburgite | K2MnV4O12 |
| 8.AC.80 | Tillmannsite | Ag3Hg[(V,As)O4] |
| 8.AC.85 | Filatovite | K(Al,Zn)2(As,Si)2O8 |
Fluorescence of Bobfergusonite
Not fluorescent.
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 Bobfergusonite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-700.html
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References for Bobfergusonite
Reference List:
Ercit, T. S., Anderson, A. J., Černý, P., Hawthorne, F. C. (1986) Bobfergusonite, a new phosphate mineral from Cross Lake, Manitoba. The Canadian Mineralogist, 24 (4) 599-604
Ercit, T. S., Hawthorne, F. C., Černý, P. (1986) The crystal structure of bobfergusonite. The Canadian Mineralogist, 24 (4) 605-614
Ercit, T. S., Anderson, A. J., Černý, P., Hawthorne, F. C. (1986) Bobfergusonite, a new phosphate mineral from Cross Lake, Manitoba. The Canadian Mineralogist, 24 (4) 599-604
Hawthorne, Frank C., Burke, Ernst A. J., Ercit, T. Scott, Grew, Edward S., Grice, Joel D., Jambor, John L., Puziewicz, Jacek, Roberts, Andrew C., Vanko, David A. (1988) New Mineral Names. American Mineralogist, 73 (1-2) 189-199 p.190
Localities for Bobfergusonite
Showing 3 localities.
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.
Argentina | |
| Tait et al. (2004) |
Canada (TL) | |
| Černý et al. (1998) +3 other references |
Poland | |
| Pieczka et al. (2017) +2 other references |
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The
Pegmatite No. 22, North Group, Cross Lake, Manitoba, Canada